Call to prayer: Lord God of heaven and earth, pour forth your love into our hearts, that we may fling open whatever gates and doors we have closed before your presence. Come to dwell with us today and bring us one day to dwell with you in the place prepared for us by our Lord and Savior. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A reading from the holy gospel according to Matthew
Jesus said to his disciples:
"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away.
"Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.
"Do you understand all these things?" They answered, "Yes." And he replied, "Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old."
The gospel of the Lord.
Focus: The parables speak of true wisdom, a priceless treasure to be sought with all our heart. Gaining the treasure of God's saving love is worth any sacrifice.
Questions for reflection and sharing:
1. What words or phrases stand out for you in this gospel?
2. What in your life now is most valuable to you? How do you find God present in that treasure?
3. What are you willing to "pay" or "give up" in order to possess what is valuable to you?
4. How does this gospel call us to be a Christian steward?
Concluding prayer:
O God, some of us discover your kingdom by surprise, the hidden treasure buried in a field; to others your kingdom is the pearl of great price, the end of a long and arduous search. Teach us to be attentive to finding to finding your kingdom in our lives. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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