The Kingdom of Heaven Is Worth Everything (天国是真正的宝藏）
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In the Sunday Gospel, Jesus tells three parables about the Kingdom of Heaven, reminding us of our hearts' true desire and our true destiny beyond the challenges and distractions of this life. Below, we invite you to read the latest bilingual Sunday Scripture reflection from Fr. Joseph Ruan, included in Chinese and then in English:
Scripture Reflection in Chinese
常年期第十七主日（甲年）
今天的福音记载了耶稣连续讲述三个比喻：地里的宝藏、贵重的珍珠和撒网捕鱼（玛13:44-52）。三个比喻都围绕着同一个主题——天国。在《玛窦福音》中，「天国」是耶稣宣讲的中心。「从那时起，耶稣开始宣讲说：『你们悔改吧！因为天国临近了。』」（玛4:17）耶稣公开生活的开始，是宣讲天国；祂借着比喻启示天国；祂借着神迹彰显天国；祂借着自己的死亡与复活建立天国。
圣经所说的「国」，不是一个地理空间，而是君王的统治。因此，天国就是天主藉着耶稣基督在人类历史中施行祂的统治，把祂的权能、慈爱与救恩带给世界。哪里接受基督，哪里便开始有天国；哪里遵行天主的旨意，哪里便开始实现天国；哪里有真理、圣德、正义、和平与仁爱，那里便是天国的临在。
因此，天国既已经来到，也期待最后的圆满。耶稣来到世界，天国已经开始；教会继续宣讲福音、施行圣事，天国不断在人心中成长；当基督光荣再来，万有得到更新时，天国将达到圆满。今天福音中的三个比喻，是从三个不同的角度，引导我们认识天国：前两个比喻启示天国的价值，第三个比喻启示天国最终的完成。
耶稣首先说：「天国好像藏在地里的宝藏；人找到了，就把它藏起来，高兴地去变卖自己所有的一切，买了那块田。」（玛13:44）这是当时人们熟悉的一幅生活图画。古代巴勒斯坦战乱频繁，人们没有现代银行，常把金银财宝埋藏在地下，以免遭受抢夺。如果主人突然离世，宝藏便留在地下，后来的人偶然发现，是常常可能发生的事情。
整个比喻有三个连续的动作：发现、变卖、买下。推动这一切的，正是宝藏无可比拟的价值。福音特别强调：「他高兴地去。」这份喜乐正是整个比喻的中心。一个人发现更大的财富，自然愿意放下较小的财富；一个人得到真正的宝藏，自然愿意付出相应的代价。他放弃的是有限的产业，得到的却是无法估量的财富。
耶稣藉着这个比喻告诉我们，天国就是这样的宝藏。当一个人与基督相遇，真正认识福音，体会到天主的慈爱，他便开始明白，没有任何东西能够与天主相比。圣保禄分享自己的经验说：「为了基督，我把一切都看作损失，因为我以认识我主基督耶稣为至宝。」（斐3:8）保禄的一生发生了巨大的改变就是因为他发现了真正的宝藏。
人的一生，总是按照自己所珍惜的价值作出选择。一个学生努力学习，因为知识具有价值；父母辛勤工作，因为家庭具有价值；一位运动员坚持训练，因为赢得比赛具有价值。同样，一个基督徒愿意祈祷、参与弥撒、服务教会、实践福音，因为天国永生是生命中最大的价值。
紧接着，耶稣又讲了第二个比喻：「天国又好像一个寻找完美珍珠的商人；他一找到一颗贵重的珍珠，就去，变卖自己所有的一切，买了它。」（玛13:45-46）这个人一直在寻找珍珠。他是一位经验丰富的商人，对于珍珠的价值具有准确的判断。当他终于找到一颗真正无价的珍珠时，他同样变卖自己的一切，把它买下来。
珍珠在古代一直被视为最珍贵的宝物。一颗真正完美的珍珠，可以超过其他所有珍珠的价值。耶稣借着这个形象告诉我们，在整个世界上，真正值得人全心拥有的，就是天国；真正值得人一生追求的，就是基督。
两个比喻共同表达一个真理：天国值得人付出一切。这里所说的「变卖一切」，并不表示每一位基督徒都必须放弃财产，过完全贫穷的生活。耶稣所强调的是，人心应当把天主放在首位。当一个人的心属于天主，财富成为服务爱的工具，事业成为实践使命的平台，家庭成为活出福音的团体，人生的一切都会拥有新的意义。
第三个比喻把我们的目光引向天国最后的完成。耶稣说：「天国又好像撒在海里的网，网罗各种各样的鱼。网一满了，人就拉上岸来，坐下，把好的收在器皿里，把坏的扔掉。」（玛13:47-48）加里肋亚海拥有丰富的渔业资源，渔夫常用大型拖网捕鱼。拖网撒下以后，各种鱼都会进入网中，直到最后拉上岸，才开始分类。耶稣借用渔夫熟悉的工作，说明天国在历史中的发展。
耶稣接着说：「世界终结时也将如此：天使要出去，把恶人由义人中分开。」（玛13:49）这里启示了最后的审判。历史不会漫无目的地不断循环，而是朝向天主所预备的圆满迈进。天主是无限仁慈的，也是至公义的；天主赐给每个人悔改的机会，也尊重每个人自由的回应。每天都是恩宠的时期，也是回应福音的时候。每一次真诚的祈祷，领受圣事，实践爱德，宽恕他人，就是在塑造我们的生命，也准备我们进入天国圆满的光荣。
福音最后，耶稣问门徒：「这一切你们都明白了吗？」他们回答说：「明白了。」于是耶稣继续说：「凡成为天国门徒的经师，就像一个家主，从自己的宝库里，拿出新的和旧的东西来。」（玛13:51-52）这里所说的「新的和旧的」，表达天主救恩计划的完整。旧约准备默西亚的来临，新约完成天主的救恩；先知的预言在基督身上得到实现，法律的精神在基督内达到圆满。天国的门徒忠实保存宗徒传下来的信仰，也不断向每一个时代宣讲福音，使更多的人认识基督，进入天国。
今天的社会充满各种吸引人的「宝藏」和「珍珠」。财富、名誉、权力、享受、成功，都能够带来短暂的满足，却无法满足人心最深处的渴望。因为人的心原是按照天主的肖像受造，唯有天主能够完全满足人心无限的渴望。圣奥斯定在《忏悔录》中写道：「祢为了祢自己创造了我们，我们的心若不安息在祢内，便永远得不到安息。」这句话跨越了一千六百多年，今天仍然真实地描述着现代人的心灵状态。科技不断进步，生活不断改善，人对于真理、爱、永恒和生命意义的渴望依然存在，因为这些渴望最终都指向天主。
今天，耶稣邀请我们重新思考：什么才是生命中真正的宝藏？如果基督成为我们最大的财富，我们便会重新安排自己的时间，珍惜每一次弥撒、每天的祈祷，以及每一个实践爱德的机会。我们的家庭会因为基督而更加和睦，我们的工作会因为福音而更有意义，我们的人生也会充满真正的喜乐与平安。但愿我们都能认出这份永不消失的宝藏，一生跟随基督，将来与众圣人一起，在天国分享天主永恒的福乐。
Scripture Reflection in English
The Kingdom of Heaven Is Worth Everything
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells three parables in succession: the treasure hidden in a field, the pearl of great price, and the dragnet (Mt 13:44–52). All three center on the same theme—the Kingdom of Heaven. In the Gospel of Matthew, the Kingdom of Heaven stands at the heart of Jesus’ preaching. “From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand’” (Mt 4:17). From the beginning of His public ministry, Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom. Through His parables He revealed it; through His miracles He made it visible; and through His Death and Resurrection He fulfilled the Father’s saving plan and opened the Kingdom to all humanity.
In Sacred Scripture, a “kingdom” refers first to the reign of a king, rather than to a parcel of land. The Kingdom of Heaven, therefore, is God’s reign made present in human history through Jesus Christ, bringing His power, love, and salvation to the world. Wherever Christ is welcomed, the Kingdom begins to take root; wherever God’s will is embraced, the Kingdom becomes visible; wherever truth, holiness, justice, peace, and charity flourish, the presence of the Kingdom is revealed.
The Kingdom has already come, and it still awaits its final fulfillment. With the coming of Jesus, the Kingdom has begun. As the Church continues to proclaim the Gospel and celebrate the sacraments, the Kingdom continues to grow in human hearts. When Christ returns in glory and all creation is renewed, the Kingdom will reach its fullness. The three parables in today’s Gospel reveal the Kingdom from three different perspectives: the first two disclose its incomparable value, while the third points to its final fulfillment.
Jesus first says, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” (Mt 13:44). This was a familiar scene to Jesus’ listeners. Ancient Palestine was often troubled by war, and people had no modern banks. They frequently buried gold, silver, and other valuables to protect them from being stolen. If the owner died unexpectedly, the treasure could remain underground until someone else happened to discover it.
The parable unfolds through three successive actions: finding, selling, and buying. They follow one another without hesitation because the value of the treasure has already determined the man’s choice. The Gospel emphasizes that he goes “out of joy.” This joy lies at the heart of the parable. Joy moves him to sell everything, because he knows that what he is gaining far exceeds everything he is giving up. When someone discovers a greater treasure, it becomes natural to let go of a lesser one; when someone finds the true treasure, the price is worth paying. The man gives up possessions that are limited and receives a treasure beyond measure.
Through this parable, Jesus teaches us that the Kingdom is such a treasure. When a person encounters Christ, truly comes to know the Gospel, and experiences God’s love, that person begins to understand that nothing can compare with God. Saint Paul describes his own experience: “I consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Phil 3:8). From then on, Paul’s life was completely transformed because he had discovered the true treasure—Jesus Christ.
We make our choices according to what we value. A student studies diligently because knowledge matters. Parents work tirelessly because their family is precious. An athlete perseveres in training because victory is worth the effort. In the same way, Christians pray, participate in Mass, serve the Church, and live the Gospel because they know that the Kingdom and eternal life are life’s greatest treasure.
Jesus then tells a second parable: “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it” (Mt 13:45–46). The first man discovers the treasure unexpectedly; the second has been searching for pearls. He is an experienced merchant who knows how to judge their worth. When at last he finds a truly priceless pearl, he too sells everything he owns and buys it.
Although the two parables are similar, they portray two different journeys of faith. Some people resemble the man who finds the treasure: they encounter Christ at a particular and unexpected moment in life. Others resemble the merchant: after a long search and a persistent quest for truth, they finally find the answer to life’s deepest questions. Saint Augustine searched for years before embracing Christ. Saint Ignatius of Loyola found a new direction after being seriously wounded. Many catechumens study and reflect for a long time before receiving Baptism and entering the Church. Their paths differ, but they all lead to the same destination—Jesus Christ.
In the ancient world, pearls were among the most precious of all treasures. One truly priceless pearl could be worth more than all the others. Through this image, Jesus teaches us that the Kingdom of Heaven alone is worthy of our wholehearted commitment, and Jesus Christ alone is worthy of our lifelong pursuit and complete devotion. To know Christ is the true beginning of a new life.
Together, the two parables proclaim one truth: the Kingdom of Heaven is worth everything. “Selling everything” does not mean that every Christian must give away all possessions and live in absolute poverty. Jesus teaches us to give God first place in our hearts. When our hearts belong to God, wealth becomes a means of serving others in love, work becomes a place where we live our vocation, the family becomes a community in which the Gospel is practiced, and every part of life receives new meaning.
Our society offers many attractive “treasures” and “pearls.” Wealth, prestige, power, pleasure, and success may bring satisfaction for a time, but they cannot satisfy the deepest longing of the human heart. We were created in the image of God, and only God can fill the human heart completely. Saint Augustine wrote in his Confessions, “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” More than sixteen centuries later, these words still speak truthfully about the human condition.
The third parable directs our attention to the final fulfillment of the Kingdom. Jesus says, “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full, they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets; what is bad they throw away” (Mt 13:47–48). Fishermen on the Sea of Galilee often used large dragnets. Once the net was cast, it gathered fish of every kind; only after it had been hauled ashore did the sorting begin. Jesus uses this familiar work to describe the Kingdom’s unfolding in history.
The Church today resembles this net cast into the sea. The Gospel is proclaimed to all nations, and the Church welcomes everyone who comes to Christ. Those who are holy live within the Church, as do those who are still growing in holiness. New believers and those who have followed the Lord faithfully for many years journey together in the same Church. God continually pours out His grace and leads each person toward holiness.
Jesus continues, “Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous” (Mt 13:49). Here He reveals the Last Judgment. History is moving toward the fulfillment God has prepared. God is rich in mercy and perfect in justice. He gives every person the opportunity to repent and respects each person’s free response. Today is the time of grace, and every day is a time to answer the Gospel. Every sincere prayer, every reception of the sacraments, every act of charity, and every gesture of forgiveness shapes our lives and prepares us to enter the glory of the Kingdom in its fullness.
At the end of the Gospel, Jesus asks His disciples, “Do you understand all these things?” They answer, “Yes.” He then says, “Every scribe who has been instructed in the Kingdom of Heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old” (Mt 13:51–52). The “new and the old” express the unity of God’s saving plan. The Old Testament prepares for the coming of the Messiah, and the New Testament brings God’s saving work to fulfillment. The promises of the prophets are fulfilled in Christ, and the Law reaches its fullness in Him. Disciples of the Kingdom faithfully preserve the faith handed down by the Apostles and proclaim the Gospel to every generation, so that more people may come to know Christ and enter His Kingdom.
Today, Jesus invites us to ask once more: What is the true treasure of our lives? If the Kingdom becomes our greatest treasure, we will reorder our time and priorities. We will treasure every Mass, our daily prayer, and every opportunity to practice charity. Our families will grow more united in Christ, our work will take on deeper meaning through the Gospel, and our lives will be filled with genuine joy and peace. May we recognize this true treasure, place Christ first in our lives, and one day enter the Kingdom with all the saints, sharing forever in the life and glory of God.
Fr. (Joseph) Guozhang Ruan was born and ordained in China. After serving in parish ministry in the Diocese of Mindong, Fujian, he pursued advanced studies in moral theology in Rome, earning a doctorate from the Pontifical Lateran University. Since coming to the United States in 2004, he has served in several parishes in the Archdiocese of New York. He is currently the Director of the Chinese Apostolate for the Archdiocese of New York and Parochial Vicar of Holy Rosary Church on Staten Island. His ministry focuses on serving Chinese Catholics, promoting evangelization, and fostering greater understanding between the Church in China and the universal Church.
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