Sunday Gospel: Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mt 13:44-52

The twin parables of today’s gospel – the treasure in the field and the pearl of great value – reveal a paradoxical truth about the kingdom of Heaven. Throughout the gospels, Jesus presents the kingdom as ‘now but not yet’; as ‘present but future’. This paradox is captured in these twin parables. In both cases, the kingdom is likened to something of great value that is discovered but cannot be immediately grasped. In both parables, the finder must go away and sell everything so that they can eventually come to possess the treasure they have discovered.

By comparing this experience with the kingdom of Heaven, Jesus suggests that most of us can only ever catch glimpses of what it means to live in the kingdom. For most of us, only in the future reality of heaven will we ever fully come to understand the kingdom. However, those glimpses that we catch – those moments of inspiration and connection with God and with one another – are like the treasures of the parables. They are enough to inspire us to do what it takes to make sure that we will one day enter into that kingdom reality.

The third parable of this gospel passage reveals yet another truth about the kingdom. The dragnet thrown into the sea is like the message of Jesus – it is flung far and wide and does not discriminate about where it falls or on whom it falls. This parable rounds out the chapter that began with the parable of the sower and the image of casting the net is a neat parallel to the indiscriminate casting of seed. It is not up to the one who casts the net, the seed or the Word. Rather it is up to each individual to determine how they will respond to receiving the Word.

(Gospel Reflection by Greg Sunter)

Sacrament of Confirmation

The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated in our Parish this term. As you can imagine, the restrictions being placed on gatherings due to COVID-19 have meant that there have been some necessary changes to the way the parish would normally run the Sacrament. Fr John is hosting a Parent Information Night (PIN) Next Tuesday, 28^th July from 6:00pm via Zoom. All parents of eligible Year 6 students will be sent the link. All information regarding how the Sacrament will run, and changes that have been made will be relayed on that evening. Please email me if you require any further information regarding the Sacrament.

Mass Has Returned!

Due to the recent easing of restrictions, Fr John has now begun celebrating Sunday Masses once again. All Mass times will remain the same, but due to social distancing measures, all Masses will be celebrated at Holy Trinity, Curtin for the time being. There is a limit of 100 people that can attend each Mass, and the Parish will accept booking online, or via a phone call to the office.

God bless,

Stephanie Burns

Religious Education Coordinator