Faith Daily Lectio Saturday, October 17, 2026 Gospel
Saturday, October 17, 2026 · Saturday in the week of the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 23); Ignatius of Antioch, Pastor and Martyr
Gospel
Oratio (prayer)
Heavenly Father, Your Son speaks of hidden treasure, a pearl of great price, and a net cast into the sea. Send Your Holy Spirit as I read these words, that I may know the worth of Your kingdom and receive Jesus with faith, not offense. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Meditatio (meditation)
Matthew 13:44-58
44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
46Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
48Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
49So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
50And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
51Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.
52Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.
53 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.
54And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?
55Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
56And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
57And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.
58And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
Consider even rereading in another translation.
You could also consider listening to this chapter, narrated:
KJV (Max McLean) · ESV (Max McLean) · NIV (dramatized)
You might read the whole reading slowly, aloud, more than once.
Consider this verse, for example:
“Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” (Matthew 13:46)
What other lines speak to you?
Jesus tells these parables to people who think they already know Him. In His own country they ask, "Is not this the carpenter’s son?" (v. 55). The kingdom comes hidden in a field, hidden in a humble man from Nazareth, and it is easy to walk past.
The Law "they were offended in him" (v. 57), and "he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief" (v. 58). Familiarity can harden the heart. We, too, treat Jesus as ordinary and hold on to what we have instead of the treasure He is. At the end of the world the angels "sever the wicked from among the just" (v. 49).
The Gospel The man in the parable "went and sold all that he had, and bought it" (v. 46). Jesus is the One who gave all. He did not hold back His own life to buy you for Himself. In Baptism He has gathered you into His net and counts you His treasure, so that you are among the just whom the angels gather in.
Prayer Lord Jesus, I confess that I have often valued other things above You and treated Your Word as common. Forgive me. Thank You for giving all that You had to make me Your own. Keep me glad in You, my true treasure. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Tentatio (trial)
It can be hard when those closest to us shrug at the faith, or when our own hearts grow dull to it. Jesus knew this too: "A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house" (v. 57). He kept teaching anyway. Under trial we may find that His Word stays true even when it is not welcomed, and that the treasure is not smaller because others pass it by.
Prayer Lord Jesus, when family or friends are offended by You, and when my own faith feels small, keep me from bitterness and from giving up. Hold me in Your Word, and let my life point quietly to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Scripture quotations are from the King James Version.
My church home: Peace Lutheran Church, McMurray, PA. Looking for a church? See About Daily Lectio.
