Jesus said to the crowds. “God’s kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field for years and then accidentally found by a trespasser. The finder is ecstatic – what a find! – and proceeds to sell everything he owns to raise money and buy that field.
“Or, God’s kingdom is like a jewel merchant on the hunt for excellent pearls. Finding one that is flawless, he immediately sells everything and buys it.
“Or, God’s kingdom is like a fishnet cast into the sea, catching all kinds of fish. When it is full, it is hauled onto the beach. The good fish are picked out and put in a tub; those unfit to eat are thrown away. That’s how it will be when the curtain comes down on history. The angels will come and cull the bad fish and throw them in the garbage. There will be a lot of desperate complaining, but it won’t do any good.”
Jesus asked, “Are you starting to get a handle on all this?”
They answered, “Yes.”
He said, “Then you see how every student well-trained in God’s kingdom is like the owner of a general store who can put his hands on anything you need, old or new, exactly when you need it.”
I wonder how the Kingdom of Heaven would be described now. The various treasures suggested by Jesus would touch the imagination of every person within the crowd. Their lives were predictable and long in tradition. What was precious spoke to every generation with both a familiarity and an unreachability. Somewhere in every life, no matter how mundane, was the possibility of the ‘one thing’.
Where is our ‘one thing’? Too often we are rushed from one task to another; from one upgrade to another; from one latest model to another. Most of what we do is obsolete just as we do it. How do we ever learn what is precious; what is worth giving it all up for?
Maybe Jesus is asking us – what is the one thing about you that will make God say ‘yes’? Integrity, truth, a sense of justice, generosity? Amongst all that you are – what is your ‘pearl of great price’? And, in all that you are, how often do you value – and use – that gift?
Matthew 13 44 – 52 Jesus said to the crowds. “God’s kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field for years and then accidentally found by a trespasser. The finder is ecstatic – what a find! – and proceeds to sell everything he owns to raise money and buy that field. “Or, God’s kingdomRead More →
MASS & SERVICE TIMES Saturday 22nd July 4:45pm – Sacrament of Reconciliation 5:15pm – Winnie Cannon RIP Sunday 23rd July – 16TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (CYCLE A) 9;30am – Edna & John Butler RIP 11:00am – People of the Parish Monday 24th July 10:00am – Mass – Rosaria Hicks RIP Tuesday 25th July 9:30am – MassRead More →
Matthew 13 24 – 43 Jesus told another story. “God’s kingdom is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. That night, while his hired men were asleep, his enemy sowed thistles all through the wheat and slipped away before dawn. When the first green shoots appeared and the grain beganRead More →
MASS & SERVICE TIMES Saturday 15th July 4:45pm – Sacrament of Reconciliation 5:15pm – Kathleen Harrison RIP Sunday 16th July – 15TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (CYCLE A) 9;30am – People of the Parish 11:00am – Family of Liam Curry RIP Monday 17th July 9:30am – Mass – Mary Narayn Singh 7:30pm – Scripture Group Tuesday 18th Read More →
Matthew 13 1 – 23 Jesus addressed his congregation, telling stories. “What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed. As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road, and birds ate it. Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn’t put down roots, soRead More →
MASS & SERVICE TIMES Saturday 8th July 4:45pm – Sacrament of Reconciliation 5:15pm – Eddie McCambridge RIP Sunday 9th July – 14TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (CYCLE A) 9;30am – People of the Parish 11:00am – Peter O’Connor (get well) Noon – Parish AGM Monday 10th July 9:30am – Mass – Bridget Lacking RIP Tuesday 11th JulyRead More →
Matthew 11 25 – 30 Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer: “Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You’ve concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people. Yes, Father, that’s the way you like to work.” Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.Read More →
Dear all parishioners, Just wanted to give everyone an update on where we’re at in respect of the weekend of Parish Celebrations (Sat/Sun September 9th and 10th). The Raffle tickets are now available in the porch Please take some and sell to friends and family. As Fr Simon has mentionedRead More →
MASS & SERVICE TIMES Saturday 1st July 4:45pm – Sacrament of Reconciliation 5:15pm – People of the parish Sunday 2nd July – 13TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (CYCLE A) 9;30am – Bridget Lacking RIP 10th Anniversary 11:00am – Tommy Kneale RIP Monday 3rd July 9:30am – Mass – Kitty Insley & Winnie Cannon RIP 7:30pm – ScriptureRead More →
Matthew 10 37-42 Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows: “Don’t think I’ve come to make life cosy. I’ve come to cut—make a sharp knife-cut between son and father, daughter and mother, bride and mother-in-law—cut through these cosy domestic arrangements and free you for God. Well-meaning family members can be your worstRead More →
St Joseph’s RC Church, Woodford Lane, Winsford, CW7 2JS - Diocese of Shrewsbury - Registered Charity No 234025