Proper 12 Yr A
Of what value
Editor's note: During the season of Pentecost, churches that use the Revised Common Lectionary have two options. One, often called "semicontinuous" or "Track 1", provides more detail about the Old Testament stories. The other, called "complementary" or "Track 2", more closely marries the Old Testament lesson to the gospel reading.
Introduction
In this relatively short gospel, there are many metaphors and similes presented for the "kingdom of God." A mustard seed, a tiny beginning growing to a home for birds. Yeast used in leavening flour. A hidden treasure so valued that the discoverer sells everything he/she owns to purchase the land. A pearl so valuable the merchant sells all s/he has to purchase the pearl. The net thrown into the sea to capture all sorts of fish. How do these seemingly disparate concepts help us understand the kingdom of God? Some writers say this parable is about "growth."
Which has value for you? Jesus certainly describes a number of “valuable” things in this parable. Note value is/can be found in many different things—growth, nurture, jewels, sustenance. And as “scribes trained for the kingdom”, we have the task of finding the value that becomes the treasure, both old and new. Fortunately, it is not one size treasure fits all. Look at the Old Testament readings too. What “treasure” did Solomon long for (and God granted to him)? A wise and discerning mind. Also from Genesis, what “treasure” did Jacob seek? A “graceful and beautiful” life companion. So an abundantly rich lectionary for Sunday. So many things to think about.
Lastly, when you find that which has value for you, what will you do to attain it? If the "treasure" is the kingdom of God (here and now), how do you work to assure others find the kingdom too? Post your comments.
Matthew 13:31-33,44-52
Jesus put before the crowds another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed . . . is like yeast . . . is like treasure hidden in a field . . . is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value . . . is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind. . . Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”
From sermon4kids.com: “You may be small, but like the mustard seed and the yeast, you are important in the kingdom of heaven.”
Scripture: July 30, 2023—Track 1: Genesis 29:15-28 (image), Psalm 105:1-11, 45b (image) OR Psalm 128 (image); Track 2: Kings 3:5-12 (image), Psalm 119:129-136 (image); Romans 8:26-39 (image) and Matthew 13:31-33,44-52 (image). Illuminating the scripture, an image and audio journey..
Collect: O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reflection: God asks “what can I give you?” to Solomon. Solomon does not ask for longevity or wealth, but for the wisdom to discern what is right. What is the one think that you would ask of God? What does God’s response to Solomon reveal about the desires of our hearts and what is ultimate and lasting in God’s eyes?
When God asks Solomon to make a wish, Solomon does not ask for longevity or wealth, but for the wisdom to discern what is right. What is the one wish that you would ask of God? What does God’s response to Solomon reveal about the desires of our hearts and what is ultimate and lasting in God’s eyes?
Are there dilemmas or relationships in which you feel separated from the love of God?
Can you imagine that God might be at work there, bringing life in unexpected ways?
What would change if you were to claim the promise that nothing can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord?
- Source: Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year A, Volume 2 © 2014 Westminster John Knox Press.
Eye Candy:
"Jacob, Rachael, Leah", contemporary statue in the Ratner Museum (Bethesda, Maryland);
"The Pearl of Great Price", by Daniel Bonnell, contemporary;
“A Little Leaven“, James B. Janknegt;
“The Hidden Treasure“, from Jesus Mafa;
"Pearl of Great Price", Ian Pollock;
"Pearl of Great Price", 17th century, by Dominico Fetti
Ear Worm:
"Seek ye first" sung by Patti LaBelle with Spellman College and Howard University choirs;
“God is working his purpose out”, virtual hymn and quasi-Caribbean beat;
"Seek ye first", instrumental, mashup with Pachelbel Canon in D;
"Seek ye first", rhythmic version by Straight Company
Brain Food:
“Parables that do things“, commentary by David Lose;
"Shocking" from Miriam's Tambourine website;
“The pearl” by Gene Stecher
The surprise within and / the systematic search among.
The subject of the surprise, / the subject of the searching.
Pearls and treasures come / from either direction. Better
stay alert for the knock! / or maybe we’re talking about JOY!
The joy of the surprise, / the joy of priceless discovery,
the joy of paying the full value. / A pearl in a field? Hard to find!
After you rush to buy the field, / the joy of walking barefoot
through luscious HJ grass. / But you have to pay the full value, everything you have!
©Gene Stecher, Chambersburg, Pa.
Parables:
“The Family Man” (2000, PG-13), family deciding what is important, Review;
“American Beauty” (1999, R), satire on the American dream, Review;
“The Truman Show” (1998, PG), quixotic tale of yearnings, Review
Hymn Notes: The story behind "Seek ye first" by Karen Lafferty (b. 1948) (referenced above):
". . . “Seek Ye First” (1971), Lafferty’s signature song, was written during her early years at Calvary Chapel, following a Bible study on Matthew 6:33. Its elegant and unpretentious melody reflects the text perfectly, which is taken verbatim from the King James Version. Carlton Young notes that this song became a standard of the “Jesus movement” of the post-Vietnam era. Music from this movement became absorbed into the early years of contemporary Christian music. The acoustic sounds and uncluttered harmonies are a perfect vehicle for a scriptural passage that stresses how our priorities as Christians should be ordered. . . ."
from "Discipleship Ministries"
For families: Study guide and activities, (former guide), group activity, snacks, kid video
For children: See family guide/activities (other activity); bulletin, craft
For middlers: See family guide/activities (other activity); bulletin, craft
Coloring: Matthew 13, Parable of the mustard seed
For youth: What does the reign of God mean to you? Consider writing it in a simile: “The reign of God here and now is like. . .” Try now to use metaphors. “The reign of God is . . .” Create a word cloud of the results. Share.
[based on “Have you understood all this” from Stewardship of Life website https://www.stewardshipoflife.org/2017/07/have-you-understood-all-this/]Comments welcome.
As we did last Sunday, today we hear parables of Jesus concerning God’s Kingdom. The Kingdom is characterized as hidden, yet being revealed; as small now but destined to grow large; as so precious that those who discover it will give all in order to attain it; as open to all who will accept it.
Track 1. As we continue the story of our forebears, Jacob, living with his uncle Laban, asks for the hand of Rachel, whom he loves. Laban tricks him (trickery ran in the family, perhaps) and marries him to his older daughter, Leah. After a time, however, Jacob is allowed to marry Rachel, as well. From these two women came the twelve sons of Jacob and the twelve tribes of Israel.
Track 2. The first reading from 1 Kings is Solomon’s prayer asking God for wisdom. It was Solomon’s desire for wisdom rather than riches and power, which revealed him as a righteous king. This is a prefiguring of God’s Kingdom in which all of God’s people are a royal priesthood, enlightened by the spirit and wisdom of God.
Our continued reading of the Epistle to the Romans leads us to Paul’s great outburst of praise and assurance of the certainty of God’s love for us. Here Paul is certain that even our weakest and most elementary striving towards God is proof that God is leading us and has destined us for glory.
The Church is not the Kingdom of God. It is, in the words of Alexander Schmemann, the world in the process of becoming the Kingdom. When we gather to celebrate, our movement toward the Kingdom is revealed. In the Eucharist God reconstitutes us as the Church and we discover ourselves growing toward the Kingdom.
From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2007 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.