The multiplication of bread is the only miracle story found in all the four Gospels. Here we see Jesus feeding five thousand out of five loaves and two fish. The people were so delighted, they have never seen anyone from among their leaders who can do such wonderful deed. Their hunger satisfied and their initial awe diminished, they soon forget what this event is all about. Jesus teaches us today to go beyond the surface level, to dig deep, reflect and learn the real meaning of the phenomenon at hand., and discover the real treasure of life, Jesus in the midst of His people. “What is essential is invisible to the eye... The essential things in life are seen not with the eyes, but with the heart."

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price are similar. While the Parable of the Dragnet on the other hand is similar to last Sunday’s parable of the Weeds and the Wheat. The first reading recalls to us the events about the dream of King Solomon, where the Lord asked the young King what he wants. King Solomon’s answer reveals so much of His character, what is most import for him, a wise and understanding heart. This he asked, so that he can serve the Lord well and the people of his kingdom. This Wisdom is the treasure of King Solomon’s heart, the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price. In the same line, we are also asked what is of most value to us, what is the priority of our heart? What do we really want in life, what will give meaning to our life? Solomon could have asked for long life, power and riches beyond compare, because he did not ask for these, the Lord honors him for not allowing his heart to desire such worthless things. Like Solomon, we too can ask the Lord for Wisdom. If we are honest and sincere in our request, the Lord will surely not fail us. Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Mt. 7:7) The Lord wants us also to find our hidden treasure and our pearl of great price.

The parable of the weeds in the field presents the problem of bad seeds being sown in by an enemy. Again, the disciples did not understand the meaning of the parable, so they asked Jesus. Jesus is the farmer of the field sowing good seed in the field of the world. The devil is the enemy that sowed bad seeds. The good seeds are the those who follow the path of the Kingdom of God, the bad seeds are the people who follow the evil one. The good and the wicked people are allowed to live in the world until the end of time, the harvest time when the final sorting will be done. The wicked are condemned to Gehenna and the good, the saints “will shine like the sun in the Father’s kingdom.”

Why did Jesus not speak plainly and instead speak to them in parables? When He was in trial before the Sanhedrin, many of them have this question in their hearts, “If you are the Messiah, tell us.” Jesus answers them saying: “If I tell you… you will not believe, ands if I question, you will not respond.” (Lk. 22:67-68) The real problem is not in His language, maybe He is already speaking plainly, but we are not listening. It is in the way the listener receives the Words of Jesus. The Gospel today, addresses this question: Why are we not in a better disposition to listen and accept Jesus’ Words? The problem is not in the plain language, but on the part of the receiver of the message, in the reception of the Word.