Today’s Gospel is close to the monastic life. As monks, we have invested our entire selves into the path we chose. The word is ‘immersive’.
Our immersion into the life of faith does have great challenges. But, the reason we make the commitment is so that we have as good an opportunity as possible to respond to God’s invitation and gifts.
We do not need to be monks to follow him. But our own path allows us to be more concentrated. This is why today’s Gospel resonates so heavily in the monastic world.
Beginning the journey into monasticism is not enough. Continuing, year after year as monks, is not enough, either. We need to live always as the ambassadors of Christ, his representative in all things. If we do not do this, then there is no point whatsoever in the remainder of the life.
This is our calling: to become his children, to find close unity with him, whilst living in community. Our purchase of this field concentrates, us, immerses us. But it is not an easy road, to set your boundaries and live within them for the rest of your life.
But the reason we do it is for the treasure of eternal life in God. So we pray today for all those following their vocation. May they- may we – find that treasure and never cease in this life to work for the coming of the Kingdom. Amen.
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you
And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 13: 44-52
Glory to you, O Lord
Jesus spoke to the crowds:
‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes off happy, sells everything he owns and buys the field.
‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls; when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it.
‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea that brings in a haul of all kinds. When it is full, the fishermen haul it ashore; then, sitting down, they collect the good ones in a basket and throw away those that are no use. This is how it will be at the end of time: the angels will appear and separate the wicked from the just to throw them into the blazing furnace where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.
‘Have you understood all this?’ They said, ‘Yes‘. And he said to them: ‘Well, then, every scribe who becomes a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out from his storeroom things both new and old’.
The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.