Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Daily Office Reflection: All In

Psalms 61, 62 * 68:1-20(21-23)24-36; Nehemiah 12:27-31a,42b-47; Revelation 11:1-19; Matthew 13:44-52

Jesus is explaining his parables of the Kingdom he is pronouncing with more parables. He tells of someone finding treasure hidden in a field and a merchant finding a pearl of great value, with both of them selling all they have to buy the field, the pearl. And the kingdom of heaven is like that.

Selling all we have to be part of this kingdom. Giving up all these things to obtain something that is far superior, sounds a bit scary. There is something here that can get overlooked: neither of these individuals is compelled to do what they do - they made a choice to do so, they wanted to do so. This kingdom is something they have been looking for, searching for, and when they find it, being a part of it is worth the massive change they undergo to obtain the fruit of their search. They want to do what they do to be a part of this kingdom. They are not compelled.

Like in poker, these two individuals put all their chips on the table gambling that the treasure hidden in the field and the pearl of great value is worth being all in. Jesus is saying today, being a part of this kingdom is our choice, and when we find it we want to be all in. All in. Nice.
jfd+

Copyright 2009, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

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