Precious without the vile

Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Jer 15:10, 16-21; Ps 59:2-3, 4, 10-11, 17, 18; Mt 13:44-46
Notes: If you bring forth the precious without the vile, you shall be my mouthpiece.

The challenge for Jeremiah is our challenge too. Having received the good news (the precious) we must bring it forth without the vile (sin). That is: abandon sin and keep the kingdom.

The gospel portion today and tomorrow are the last three parables of the Matthew chapter 13 series of parables. Together they detail the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old. Just like Jeremiah, each abandons the lesser for the greater.

• Find – a surprise discovery but realize with Joy the supreme value. This is the ‘old”, the law, revealing the ‘new’, the Messiah.
• Search – a deliberate effort to find a pearl and having done so preserve it. This is the ‘new’, the gospel. Perhaps a good reference for the gentiles.
• Catch – the angel net catching all men and separating the just from the unjust. This is the end times.

First reading
If you bring forth the precious without the vile, you shall be my mouthpiece.

Responsorial Psalm
God is my refuge on the day of distress.

Alleluia Verse
I call you my friends, says the Lord,
for I have made known to you all that the Father has told me.

Gospel Portion
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.”

How do you catch a monkey?

Cut a hole in a gourd large enough for the hand of a monkey.
Inside the gourd, place favorite treats the monkey likes.

He will grab a fistful of treats but will be unable to withdraw the hand because the fistful has the treats is wider than the hole to get in the gourd. He is trapped by his own greed.

If you bring forth the precious without the vile, you shall be my mouthpiece.
Make sense?

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry