Brian’s Reflection: The Weekend, Sat, July 23, 2011

The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed …..
is like yeast …..
is like treasure hidden in a field …..
is like a merchant in search of fine pearls …..
is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind …..

The Gospel [Proper 12A, Pentecost VI, Year A];
from the Gospel called “Matthew”

[ The full texts can be found here: http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts.php?id=152 ]


So. What is “IT”? The mustard seed. The yeast. The treasure. The fine pearl. The net.

IT can be thought of as a soul open to Radical Love. IT is the seed of that Love.

Radical Love knows: Things change. Human beings … and God … change . Human beings have the capacity to sense when we can expand the wonder of being human. It is a sense of “pleasure” in mind, body, spirit. It has to do with power, yes; but not the deceptive power that derives from control. Rather from the pleasure of seeing oneself in others and sensing shared Life.

Radical Love gathers all in ….. like the mustard tree. Radical Love expands the capacity for Life ….. like the yeast. Radical Love is so valuable for being fully human that we must desire it above all things ….. like the treasure hidden. Radical Love is worth giving all for ….. the pearl of great price. Radical Love draws in every aspect of living and experience that makes Life luscious and mouthwatering and rich.

Some editor of the Gospel version called “Matthew” added the apocalyptic business with its typical “end times” focus. Often these additions detract. But in this case, I think it can be helpful. They remind us of the urgency, in terms of living Life fully, of understanding the critical importance of embracing Radical Love as the path to Joy, of Ecstasy, of inner Peace.

I think the Gospel teaches that Radical Love is the heart of being Human. Jesus’ life tells us to die to anything less.

Brian+