Jesus gives us two more (very short) parables about the Kingdom (Mt 13:44-46).  In the first, a man finds a treasure buried in a field.  He hides it again and sells all he has to purchase the field.  In the second, all possessions are given up when a pearl of great price is encountered.  The analogies are imperfect (what can compare to heaven?) but the meaning is clear: What would we not aside to attain the Kingdom of God?  If there is anything that stands in the way of our relationship with God or that might ultimately prevent us from gaining eternal life, it must be disposed of.  Consider the Beatitudes.  Two of the eight Beatitudes expressly deal with the Kingdom of God.  The first is this: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:3).  We are to embrace poverty no matter how little or how much we have; that is, we are not to cling to any earthly thing, but only to God.  The second Beatitude that promises the Kingdom in so many words: “Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:10).  A radical move of divesting oneself of possessions and attachment to them can make a person be thought of as odd at best, but vilification may be in store as well (ask St. Francis of Assisi and many other saints who lived in privilege only to give it all away or detach themselves completely from possessions and status).  Let us never let possessions, or the challenges we face when breaking free of them, ever deter us from our desired destination: Heaven.

The gospel reading for today has Jesus explaining the parable of two days ago about the weeds among the wheat after dismissing the crowds (Mt 13:36-43): God sows the good seed (the children of the Kingdom), the devil sows weeds (his children).  At the end of time the angels of God will gather up the evildoers and cast them into Hell, while the righteous will shine in the Kingdom.  Here Jesus is telling us that in God’s plan sin and evil are clearly permitted.  Those who cause others to sin and remain unrepentant are lost.  Those who remain steadfast in the Lord receive an eternal reward.  Some would have us believe there is no Hell, yet Jesus speaks of it a number of times in very graphic terms.  Some would have us believe there are no negative eternal consequences to any sin and evil we might commit, yet Jesus clearly states the ramifications time and again.  Perhaps those who believe such things find comfort in the idea of an empty Hell or one that simply does not exist.  Or maybe having carte blanche to do as one will on earth serves to satisfy the flesh while avoiding guilt here and ramifications in the next life.  Let us not be fooled by this trick of the devil.  One of Satan’s most devious schemes is to have persons believe that he and his realm do not exist.  He has made tremendous inroads not only in the secular culture but among many Christians as well.  The “righteous will shine like the sun” we read.  Well, may the light of truth proceed from us as well to enlighten all men and women to the reality of the devil and hell.  Let us speak of it out of charity in the hopes of convincing others of this reality.  And let us never allow others to be the cause of our sin so that we will never be implicated in helping to put someone in the state of eternal separation from God.  Rather, let our steadfastness in holiness be the shining example of Christ to others so that they may be moved to repent and become children of light.

We are graced with two more parables on the Kingdom from the lips of Jesus (Mt 13:31-35).  The first is of the tiny mustard seed that grows so large that birds can live there.  The second is of the yeast that leavens an entire batch of bread.  Matthew tells us that Jesus only spoke to the crowds in parables thus fulfilling the prophecy of Psalm 78 (see v. 2).  The verse highlighted at top evokes Ez 17:23.  There the wording is slightly different thus adding insight: “Birds of every kind shall dwell beneath it.”  The Kingdom, most visible in the Church, is meant to be diverse.  All are welcome to join.  We are called to witness to the good news of the Kingdom (cf. Mt 24:14) so that all persons will seek to find a place in it.  But first we must be comfortable in its midst.  Any doubts we harbor, any grudges we maintain, any teachings we question must be resolved.  Anything that separates us from the whole Church will weaken any efforts we make to bring others in and may even scandalize seekers if these concerns become known.  Love the Church and assent to its teachings.  In the Church our true home is found.  It is one we make attractive to outsiders through our personal conversion, confession, penance, and reconciliation.  May we never let our words or actions deter or discourage someone from a journey to the Church.  May our lives always reflect the joy and hope (gaudium et spes) we have as members of Christ’s body.

Today’s gospel gives us the multiplication of loaves and fishes to feed the five thousand (Jn 6:1-15).  Jesus notes the multitude following Him and questions Philip about where they can buy food to feed them all (as a test — see above).  Incredulous, Philip says they do not have anywhere near the money to purchase even a little bit for all to eat.  Andrew points out a boy with five loaves and two fish.  After blessing the food it was distributed so that all had enough with twelve baskets left over.  The amazed people call Jesus the Prophet, so He slips away alone so they would not carry Him off to make Him king.  It is interesting that Jesus chose to test one of the Twelve (who were His closest collaborators).  Philip knew what Jesus could do — he had seen plenty of miracles at Jesus’ hands.  Yet, even Philip could not contemplate how the multitude could be fed.  At least Andrew came up with something, maybe hoping that Jesus could do something with it.  When Jesus tests our faith, let’s hope we come up with the response we wish Philip and the others would have had: “We cannot make this happen but we have seen your mighty deeds Lord and know that you can do anything for those faithful to you.”  We know of Jesus’ great works throughout time, in others, and in our own lives.  When He exercises our faith, let us answer: “Thy will be done” (Mt 6:10), knowing that God is faithful to those who place complete trust in Him.  Our reward will be great in heaven (Mt 5:12), even if it turns out that we never perceive it here on earth.

Yesterday’s gospel message continues with the theme of sowing seed, but with a twist (Mt 13:24:30).  In this parable, Jesus tells of the farmer who sowed good seed during the day while his enemy sowed weeds among this seed at night.  As both grew the weeds were discovered.  The sower recognized the work of a villain but cautioned not to pull the weeds lest the wheat also be uprooted.  Only at harvest will they be separated, with the weeds being burned while the wheat will be put into the barn.  We can look to see how we have been asleep as a society in coming to a deeper awareness of how much evil and immorality has been allowed to infiltrate it.  Like the proverbial frog in the water being heated, it is easy to be lulled into complacency as more and more liberties (false liberties to be sure) are taken with the values we should hold dear.  Then one day we wake up to the fact that the world around us is saturated with sin.  We can lament this situation but we must come to the humble realization that the problem (and the solution) starts with us.  “Repent and believe in the gospel” (Mk 1:15).  We must work to get rid of sin in our own lives by believing (i.e., living — this is not just an emotional or intellectual assent) in the entire gospel with the help of the Church.  “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”  By living the gospel we become vigilant against the enemy in word and action.  God calls us to forward the Kingdom; by baptism we are called to be priests, prophets, and kings.  We are not to be silent in the face of evil but we are to combat it.  Let it never be said that we are part of the problem, even if it is only through silence.  Let us always be a part of the solution in God’s way — through unfailing love of Him and of neighbor (even when the latter needs tough love and when it may cost us dearly to give it).  We know from the end of this parable, and from Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, that good will triumph over evil.  It is through God’s command and the grace He gives us to carry it out, that this will happen.

Two days ago we heard Jesus explaining the parable of the sower to the disciples (Mt 13:18-23).  The seed on the path is the word received without understanding that is easily stolen away.  The seed on rocky ground has no root and is rejected as soon as trouble comes.  The seed sown in thorns is the word heard but soon choked off by worldly concerns.  What happens in rich soil is relayed at top; it bears much fruit.  We must consider how our hearts can become fertile soil for the Word.  But before we go there, we must have some soil to begin with.  Those who have no understanding have no soil.  The Church has this soil in abundance.  We gain understanding through prayer, the sacramental life, spiritual direction (if possible), and reading and studying Scripture, the Catechism, and solid books on theology and spirituality.  It is also vital to give of ourselves to others so as to appreciate in an intimate way the full meaning of Jesus call to love our neighbor.  We dispose ourselves to the graces of the Holy Spirit (one of whose gifts is understanding) by doing all these things while working to eliminate sin and vice from our lives (certain barriers to a full openness to revealed truth).  With these underpinnings we then are better able to stand firm when trials and tribulations or worldly concerns and anxieties threaten to derail us on our spiritual journey.

We now return to our sequence in Matthew, moving to chapter thirteen (vv. 10-17).  Jesus’ disciples want to know why He speaks to the crowds in parables.  He tells them that He is fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy (Is 6:9-10) about the hardened hearts of the people who look but don’t see and listen but don’t hear.  The disciples have been granted the privilege of knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom, something which many prophets and righteous persons of former times longed to have.  Do our eyes see and do our ears hear?  We, like these disciples, have access to knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom.  In fact, there are seven mysteries (or sacraments) that give us the graces we need to know and to live out God’s plan for us in forwarding His Kingdom hear on earth.  In order to take best advantage of this gift that God so longs to give us, we must dispose our hearts to it.  May we overcome any hardness of heart through repentance (esp. the Sacrament of Confession), prayer (especially the Mass where we receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist), and eschewing sin and vice.  The latter only serve to put barriers between us and the Almighty and allow us, at best, to only see dimly and hear faintly the message of truth God gives us through His revelation and His Church, both of which serve to form well our consciences where we are “alone with God whose voice echoes in [our] depths” (CCC 1776).

Because of the Feast of St. James, yesterday’s gospel reading was taken from an episode in which James and his brother John are featured (Mt 20:20-28).  Here, the mother of the brothers comes to Jesus asking that He make it that her sons sit on either side of Him in the Kingdom.  In response, Jesus asks the brothers if they are prepared to drink from His chalice.  They say they are, and Jesus says they will, but, even so, Jesus goes on to say that places by His side are given by the Father, not Jesus Himself.  After the other ten apostles become indignant He tells them all that they should be servants of all, in just the same way as Jesus came to serve and give His own life.  Jesus’ call for His apostles, and us, to serve all surely wasn’t easy for them to hear, just as it is not easy for us to hear.  To put the needs of others always ahead of our own needs is not the inclination of our fallen state.  While we do need to care for our bodily health and must have certain necessities (food, clothing, shelter), it is worth taking an inventory of what we consider necessities.  Divesting ourselves of unnecessary “stuff” allows us to focus more on, and give more to, God and others.  It also serves to unclutter our lives and should bring a calm that comes with simplicity.  What things can we “not do without” that we really can do without?  Weaning ourselves from these things will “clear the decks” so that we are better able to serve God and neighbor.  A critical review (on a regular basis) of our possessions and our charitable giving (in time and treasure)  regularly is critical for our spiritual and physical health and growth.

Jesus, while still speaking to the people, is informed that His mother and brothers had arrived and wished to speak with Him (Mt 12:46-50).  He uses this opportunity to tell the crowd that all who do the will of God the Father are His family.  This reading gives us an opportunity to consider Jesus’ mother.  Far from dismissing or denigrating His mother, Jesus invites His hearers then and now to think about Mary.  Who she was and what she did will help us to appreciate what it takes to get close to Jesus so we can become an intimate family member of His.  The Blessed Virgin was perfectly humble, obedient, and joyful.  Witness her interaction with Gabriel at the Annunciation (“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” — Lk 1:38) and the Magnificat that burst forth from her heart as soon as she visited her cousin (“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.  For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness” — Lk 1:46-48).  Humility (acknowledgment of the truth that all good gifts are from God), obedience (Father knows best), and joy (“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” — Jn 15:11) are good places for us to start as well.  Like with Mary, They may well lead us to the Cross (cf. Jn 19:25), but they will also lead us to the Resurrection.

Staying in Matthew 12 (vv. 38-42) yesterday, we read of the Pharisees asking Jesus for a sign.  Jesus uses this opportunity to call them out: “An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign” (v. 39).  the only sign they will get will be that of Jonah (see above).  As the Pharisees do not realize who Jesus is, He says the repentant Ninevites and the queen of the South who traveled a great distance to hear Solomon will condemn them.  Jonah was the reluctant prophet who had to be swallowed by a whale and returned to Nineveh to prophesy.  Jesus was the willing victim who in love “humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross” (Phil 2:8).  Yet, despite this great sacrifice for us, “evil and unfaithful generations” have come and gone ever since the time of Christ.  Which others, besides the Ninevites and the queen of the South, who have converted because of Christ, will rise to condemn us if we do not repent?  Immorality flourishes, with no more egregious examples than the killing of our children and the breakdown of the family (to the point where even the idea of the family is perverted beyond recognition).  There is time, though.  We must be light to the world (Mt 5:14).  It may seem an uphill battle, and we may think we can’t do very much, “but for God all things are possible” (Mt 19:26).  Take heart!  The state of the Church looked bleak at the foot of the Cross; look what it has become.  So too our efforts, when united with God’s will, can move mountains (Mt 17:20).  Hope and love, not resignation and despondence, are required.  It starts with us.