VII.
If you had been with Jesus’ listeners that day, how would you have answered his question, “Have you understood all this?”

With the “Yes” of the listeners or maybe with the silence of not knowing how to answer or maybe even a, “Well, no, not really…..”

Listen to Jesus again, take some time to rest with his words and then hear his question to you once more.

VIII.
Matthew 13:44-52 (NRSVue)

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and reburied; 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.

“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 and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

“Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

IX.
I suspect we need to consider what we value the most. What do we consider a treasure worth enough for us to sell all else so we can have it.

Then again, as the fishermen discover not all we bring with us is good and some must be separated and discarded.

What about the one who is “master of the household”? Do we have the insight to not only see what is new and what is old but to be able to judge its value and to know what its purpose is?

Have we traveled with Rabbi Jesus long enough to answer his question, “Have you understood all this?” in the affirmative or do we need to spend more time listening and walking with him?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}