The twofold parable of the treasure found in a field and of the invaluable pearl discovered by a merchant, plus the parable of the net filled with good and bad fish, round up three Sundays of comparisons for the kingdom of God, teaching us as much about God’s reign as about ourselves (Matthew 13:43-52).
A treasure and a super pearl
The parables of the treasure and of the pearl complement each other and are not merely different versions of the same theme. The first refers to some treasure found perchance buried in a field and by a laborer, while the second is about a pearl of great price sought by a merchant. One employs list in hiding again the treasure he has tumbled upon and buys the field with its secret treasure; the other openly searches for fine pearls and negotiates to buy the extraordinary one he has finally located. Both have made a surprising and joyous discovery. And both sell all they have in order to acquire their wonderful finds. Finding alone is not enough; one must take it into one’s life.
Both persons boldly invest all they own in exchange for their special acquisitions. Is it a wise move to sink all of one’s capital into a single transaction? Usual business principles no longer apply when the investment deals with eternal consequences and is about the kingdom of God. To acquire the life-giving relationship with God, one must be free and ready to give up all and any possessions in this world. God’s reign is inestimable and requires all a person is and has.
A dragnet
The concluding parable pictures “a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind.” A dragnet (like our own pukot or panalikop), after one end has been paid out into the sea in a loop then slowly hauled ashore by a team of men working both ends of the net, usually collects all sorts of fish, even garbage. The process of sorting out the catch on the shore dramatizes the mixed kinds of people God’s saving plan has to deal with. When the dragnet is pulled ashore, good fish are put into baskets, while the bad ones are discarded. When the fishermen finally land the net on the shore, people crowding around register amazement or disappointment at the catch, even as their families joyfully gather the good fish, while the worthless ones get thrown away.
The parable of the wheat and the weeds comes to mind. In our world, there is the thriving together of the good and the bad. At the end comes the divine judgment and the evil ones are disposed of while the good are gathered. The dragnet fishing selected by Jesus in teaching his parable illustrates to his followers that as “fishers of men” they work as a team. They are sent to go out and gather all into the embrace of God’s saving word, rich and poor alike, ensuring none slips through the net of redemption. The task of separating permanently the wicked from the righteous belongs to God’s angels, followed by the endless wailing and grinding of teeth by the wicked ones in their frustration and self-accusation.
Alálaong bagá, wise are the people concerning God’s kingdom when they have learned in actual living what Sacred Scriptures teach. Such a believer is like the head of a household who knows how to care for his loved ones, as well as for himself by bringing out as needed the guidance from the Gospel in application to the challenges of life. Our evangelizers today need to concentrate on guiding and inspiring all, without being diverted to merely pulling weeds and putting down worthless fish. Rather, we are to proclaim in word and by example the fascinating, joyous meaning and purpose of life in God’s love—discovered like a treasure in a field or a pearl of great price. People love a rare find and a good buy.
****
Join me in meditating on the Word of God every Sunday, from 5 to 6 a.m. on dwIZ 882, or by audio streaming on www.dwiz882.com.