Matthew 13:51-52 - "Have you understood all this?" They said to him, "Yes." And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom is like a householder who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old."
So, I have been focusing on the idea of new treasure and old treasure. And what is the treasure of the scribes? Are they interpreters of the Law, yes? Then their treasure is the interpretation of scripture. "Trained for the kingdom." Since he has been talking about the kingdom of heaven, it seems that is what is referred to.
This is exactly what Jesus did in his day. He was trained for the kingdom. He brought out from the "old" words of scripture new interpretations. Well, interpretations that were new to many people. I find that when I think I have a new interpretation, it is usually only new to me. So, old treasures such as love God with all your soul, might, and strength, and new treasures such as your neighbor is anyone in need.
What is new and what is old and what is of value are important questions for us. What is of value, what qualifies as treasure requires discernment. What do we keep from our childhood understanding of God and the world and what do we let go of? It is a lifelong process of discernment if we are healthy and care about others.
B
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