August 3, 2012 – Matthew 13:54-58 – The Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth

Jesus the carpenter's son

Where did this man get this wisdom and these deeds of power? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this? And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honour except in their own country and in their own house.” And he did not do many deeds of power there, because of their unbelief.

August 2, 2012 – Matthew 13:47-52 – Three Parables / Treasures New and Old

Jesus Fisher of Men

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind, when it was full; they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out, separate the evil from the righteous, and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.      

                                                                                               

And he said to them, 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. When Jesus had finished this parable, he left that place.

August 1, 2012 – Matthew 13:44-46 – Three Parables

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

 

Father Nino Cavoto said that the gospel invites us to contemplate and dwell on the parable of Jesus about the kingdom of heaven. It is compared to a fine pearl like a treasure that gives joy and great appreciation to the owner. We need to sacrifice everything in order to have something of value that gives us joy. Joy is differentiated from happiness in terms of state of mind and orientation of heart because joy is deeper and more profound. Joy is a constant state not affected by gain or loss; something unaffected by circumstances. Joy is the result of passing treasure and the treasure itself is the kingdom of God.