Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 on biblegateway.com
Verse 31He put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; Verse 32it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches." Verse 33He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened."
Verse 44"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. Verse 45"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; Verse 46on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. Verse 47"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; Verse 48when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. Verse 49So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous Verse 50and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Verse 51"Have you understood all this?" They answered, "Yes." Verse 52And 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."
Devotion
Good things come in small packages—or so they say. In today’s gospel reading, Jesus uses several different similes to describe God’s kingdom. What do most of them have in common? At first they may seem like modest things—a seed, yeast, a fishing net—but when they are put into action the results are inspiring and amazing. Jesus is trying to help the disciples see God’s hand at work in and through ordinary things instead of supernatural forces.
God’s kingdom is like the quiet, but steady growth of a tree, or the means by which fishermen are able to draw in the life-giving potential of a full net of fish. When our priorities are reorganized around God’s will for the world, the kingdom of God becomes the invisible, but necessary, catalyst for abundant and fulfilling life for all people.
Prayer
Giver of life, help me to see the work of your hands in the ordinary moments of life. May your Spirit guide and inspire your children to build up your kingdom to the glory of your name. Amen.