Worthwhile Things

Gospel: Matthew 13: 47-53

It is often said that one man's trash is another man's treasure.  An academic might have little use for a garage full of tools, while a mechanic would find little value in bookshelves, and yet each would find the other to be important and valuable to their work.  Utility, of course, is only one measure of a thing's value, and not even the most important factor.  

We have discovered over time that what we have found to be of no value in point of fact does have use.  Things can be recycled and repurposed.  Weeds can be composted and made into good soil with kitchen scraps.  Even trash can be used for fuel in order to heat homes, provide a flame for cooking, and the ashes used for compost to help make new soil.  Everything has value, everything has use.

We who are the creators of mass graves, genocide, total warfare and weapons of mass destruction, capital punishment, and slavery - we who declare individuals and entire races as worthless and beyond redemption - we who would subject others to these horrors but would object if done so to us - we are not in any position to judge the worth of anything or anyone.   

Buried Treasure

Gospel: Matthew 13: 44-46

The kingdom of heaven is a priceless treasure indeed.  Jesus compares it to buried treasure and a pearl of great price, things any person would do just about anything to acquire.  We, however, would think of having this treasure in order to sell it for money in order to buy things - houses, cars, whatever.  Yet in the parable we are giving up all we own to possess these treasures!  

It is for this reason that we do not understand the kingdom of heaven.  Its treasure is buried within us.  Once we discover this reality, every earthly treasure is of no value to us.  We would gladly get rid of this earthly excess in order to possess the peace and tranquility of the kingdom that lies within us.  For we come to realize that all the impermanent things of earth we consider treasures - money, status, power - are of no value whatever. They hold us back from acquiring the one thing necessary - the kingdom of God within us.

To find this treasure we must dig deep within, removing layers of illusions we have created that hide this treasure.  Once found and the illusions removed, getting rid of the impermanent treasures of the world is quite easy.  Today is the day to begin the dig in search of this treasure within! 

Wheat and Weeds in Every Age

Gospel: Matthew 13: 35-41

There were Christians who supported the Nazi regime, helping Nazis to escape justice and flee to other lands.  There were Christians who owned and defended chattel slavery and the denigration of non-white races.  There are Christians today who malign and exploit immigrants, migrants, and the poor.  In all cases, there were - and are - shepherds and pastors who have been and are part of such undertakings.

There were Christians who opposed the Nazis, hiding Jews and other targets of hatred from certain death and helping them flee to other lands.  There were Christians who opposed slavery and helped slaves escape to freedom at the risk of arrest and death.  And there are Christians today who shelter, feed, and help immigrants, migrants, and the poor in an attempt to lift them up and improve their lot.  In all these cases, there were - and are - shepherds and pastors who are helpers in such works.

Weeds and wheat there have always been.  Weeds and wheat there are still today, and weeds and wheat there will be in the future.  Unlike actual weeds and wheat that are so by nature, we have a choice as to which we would be.  Will we choose to be weeds that harm other plants, or wheat that nourishes and sustains the life of others?