Old to New – Reflection on Matthew 13:47-53
When we hear about separating evil from the righteous, it is natural to use a coarse grain example of comparing someone evil to someone saintly. However, Jesus could be suggesting that we consider the subtly of our vices and virtues when removing evil from within to become new. With our human-oriented skill sets, we can only go so far as to transform ourselves from old to new to be fully righteous. Some of what is not already new inside requires special handling by God and through graced helpers. As willing Christians, we can refer to scriptures such as reshaping as the potter with clay or the seamstress recasting the mother of a bride’s wedding dress for her precious daughter, the new bride. Like the bride surrendering to the expert, the balance of reforming our old self prepares us for the Heaven we do not yet know.
Jesus Discourses with His Disciples by James Tissot (full resolution image of painting)
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Matthew 13:47-53 – Scripture*
47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; 48 when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50 and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Treasures New and Old
51 “Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” 52 And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” 53 When Jesus had finished these parables, he left that place.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Matthew 13:47-53 Reflection – From Old to New.
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Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
This site has written permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible for the passage of Matthew 13.
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Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: Old to New
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Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.