July 21, 2026. Gospel: Matt 13:44-52. St Laurence of Brindisi, Confessor, Doctor of the Church

44 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in a field. Which a man having found, hid it, and for joy thereof goeth, and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.Simile est regnum caelorum thesauro abscondito in agro : quem qui invenit homo, abscondit, et prae gaudio illius vadit, et vendit universa quae habet, et emit agrum illum. 45 Again the kingdom of heaven is like to a merchant seeking good pearls.Iterum simile est regnum caelorum homini negotiatori, quaerenti bonas margaritas. 46 Who when he had found one pearl of great price, went his way, and sold all that he had, and bought it.Inventa autem una pretiosa margarita, abiit, et vendidit omnia quae habuit, et emit eam. 47 Again the kingdom of heaven is like to a net cast into the sea, and gathering together of all kind of fishes.Iterum simile est regnum caelorum sagenae missae in mare, et ex omni genere piscium congreganti. 48 Which, when it was filled, they drew out, and sitting by the shore, they chose out the good into vessels, but the bad they cast forth.Quam, cum impleta esset, educentes, et secus littus sedentes, elegerunt bonis in vasa, malos autem foras miserunt. 49 So shall it be at the end of the world. The angels shall go out, and shall separate the wicked from among the just.Sic erit in consummatione saeculi : exibunt angeli, et separabunt malos de medio justorum, 50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.et mittent eos in caminum ignis : ibi erit fletus, et stridor dentium. 51 Have ye understood all these things? They say to him: Yes.Intellexistis haec omnia? Dicunt ei : Etiam. 52 He said unto them: Therefore every scribe instructed in the kingdom of heaven, is like to a man that is a householder, who bringeth forth out of his treasure new things and old.Ait illis : Ideo omnis scriba doctus in regno caelorum, similis est homini patrifamilias, qui profert de thesauro suo nova et vetera.Laurence of Brindisi, a Capuchin friar who for some years ruled his whole Order, acquired great fame for learning and eloquence, and labored with remarkable success in most parts of Europe preaching to Catholics, to Protestants, and to Jews. When 80,000 Turks invaged Hungary in 1605, he it was who inspired the united Christian armies of 18,000 men to the attack and himself led them to complete victory riding before them bearing a large cross. He died in Lisbon in 1611. 1. The Treasure Hidden in the Field (vv. 44)A man discovers a treasure so valuable that he joyfully sells everything to buy the field.Notice two things:He doesn't give up everything reluctantly.He gives it up because he has found something infinitely better.Jesus isn't saying Christians should despise earthly goods. He's saying that once you've discovered the Kingdom, everything else finds its proper place.2. The Pearl of Great Price (vv. 45–46)This parable is slightly different.The first man stumbles upon the treasure.The merchant has been searching all along.Some people are converted unexpectedly. Others spend years searching for truth before they find Christ.Again, Jesus emphasizes the worth of the Kingdom.3. The Dragnet (vv. 47–50)Jesus is describing the visible kingdom on earth.The Church contains:saintssinnerspeople growing in holinesspeople resisting graceThe final separation belongs to God.Sometimes we wonder why evil seems to remain in the world—and even within the visible Church. Jesus says the final judgment comes at the end of the age.4. The Householder (vv. 51–52)Then He says:"Every scribe instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings forth from his treasure things new and old." A faithful disciple doesn't discard the old. He doesn't cling only to the new. He treasures both.As Catholics, we naturally think of:the Old Testament fulfilled in Christthe continuity of apostolic teachingthe Church preserving ancient truth while continually proclaiming it anew.