TUESDAY, November 3 (Richard Hooker)

Matthew 13:44-52. "Have you understood all this?" [Jesus asked the disciples.] They answered, "Yes."

You have to hand it to the disciples. While they rarely understood anything Jesus said or did, they were always ready to claim they did. Who, after all, wants to appear ignorant when the teacher asks a question?

In today's gospel the disciples ask Jesus to explain the parable of the sower. His response comes in the form of more parables--comparing the kingdom of heaven to treasure hidden in a field, a pearl of great price, and a great net cast into the sea. They all sound nice but they are hardly helpful explanations.

Never mind. The apostles were watching and listening with pre-Easter eyes and ears. Living, as you do, on this side of Easter, you know that the treasure Jesus speaks of is you.

You are the pearl of great price that he was willing to go to the cross to redeem; you are the treasure he seeks to unbury at great cost and bring into the light; you are the great good catch in the net Jesus desires to set apart from evil.

If you have not yet fully grasped these truths, you are in good company. But, oh, the freedom that comes from knowing you are so loved by God! Do you understand?

PRAY for the Diocese of Umuahia (Niger Delta, Nigeria)

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

View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.

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The Rev'd

Nov 03, 2009 at 4:44 am

Written by Wendy ,

In all my 70 years, I never thought about myself (or any other person other than special babies in my life) being the pearl of great price, etc. It never crossed my mind. I thought only of God, of Jesus, of the Holy Spirit, The Good News as the treasure. What a wonderful meditation to consider that I am the treasure. It is a part of an anwser to the question of "what is love, really?" and "how do I experience myself as being loved?" I have not been able to truly imagine, grasp what being loved is like. I can experience loving another as best a human can, but myself being so loved has been an ongoing question. Not that I don't "know" that I am loved by many people, family and friends.

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Nov 03, 2009 at 5:03 am

Written by Ann Delea,

It's a nice picture to think of ourselves as being the "pearl" and the "hidden treasure" because of what Jesus did on the cross. However, my sense is these things are talking about accepting God as our sole treasure and Lord and doing His will.

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Nov 03, 2009 at 6:32 am

Written by Ted Ryan,

Thank you for today's meditation. I believe that we are viewed by God, through extravagant Grace, as Pearls. In gratitude, we are to do His will by sharing this Good News with others. Have you watched/heard Henri Nouwen's homily on Being the Beloved? It's wonderful. Grace and peace.

Link to Nouwen's homily: http://video.google.com/videop...567809182#

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Nov 03, 2009 at 12:24 pm

Written by Richard H. Schmidt, Editor, Forward Day by Day,

Thanks for your comments. We love hearing from our readers and we look forward to dialog with readers beginning (we hope) in December, when each day's meditation will remain up on the site for one week, make possible questions, answers, and conversation between readers and our editors and authors. God bless all of you who have written to us.
Richard H. Schmidt, Editor, Forward Day by Day

...

Nov 03, 2009 at 6:37 pm

Written by Christine Priestman,

Is this not the reason for our very existance? Created in the image of God to be showered with His love. This is what the most simple precious soul to the most brillant of minds all have in common. We are loved by the One who created us. Whether we're taking a nap or raising the dead, the loves the same. Hallalujah! What a Saviour!

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