Prime Bishop Anthony Mikovsky
The Kingdom and The Synod
During a number of the Sundays in these summer months within our present liturgical year, as we are working our way through the Gospel of Matthew, we encounter our Lord offering a number of parables concerning the Kingdom of Heaven. On the 17th Sunday in particular, three parables are told to the disciples after they are in the house away from the crowds. This fact is the first one that we must consider when dealing with these parables. It shows us that these parables, in particular, are meant for the disciples in a special way. They are meant for those who already know our Lord and are on their journey of following Him.
We remind ourselves as well, that parables are given to us in the Scriptures to allow us to contemplate the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven in our considering the things of the world which are more familiar to the hearers. In this way, these parables are certainly meant to be thought provoking. But of course, one problem that we do have is that we must not only consider the parable itself, but we must translate the familiar actions of the first century, to our own twenty-first century.
Another thing that we remind ourselves of when considering parables is that within them we are usually called to action. They are not just facts for us to ponder, but when we ponder, we are challenged to change how we are thinking and acting, so that we can more closely align our lives with that of the Lord and His desire for us.
The three parables are given in Matthew 13:44-50; “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
As was mentioned above these parables are meant for those who are the disciples of Jesus, and we can consider them then, in light of the fact that we, as disciples of our Lord within the Polish National Catholic Church will be gathering for Holy Synod in just as few short months in Manchester, New Hampshire.
We begin by acknowledging that in the first two parables the person involved finds something of great value. The first, while the person is digging in a field, is accidentally found; the second it is found at the conclusion of the merchant’s long search. In either case though, the person sells “all that he has” in order to obtain the goal. The question may be asked, what exactly is this thing of great value? Throughout the history of the Church, it has been posited that it is the presence of Christ Himself, as He is found within His Body, the Church; or possibly the message of salvation that is given to us in the Gospel. In either case, this reality is ranked as the most important of things compared to everything else. It’s not that other things are useless, or even somewhat valuable, but their worth pales in comparison with possessing Jesus, or possessing His saving message.
As we gather for Holy Synod, we will strive in our deliberations to have the Church and Her members grow closer to our Lord in their daily living, to have them obtain the treasure of great value, which is Jesus. This will be accomplished through the ways we lay out at the Synod. In part, like the merchant searching for pearls, this will be the continuation of the search that began several Synods ago when we laid out the five goals: 1) Growth and Membership, 2) Increased Spirituality, 3) Lifelong Learning, 4) Sacred Vocations, and 5) Community Involvement and Presence. The delegates at the Synod will hear about the successes in these areas, and we will search ever more diligently to find new ways to continue to build and extend the Kingdom in each of these areas. But we must also know that there might be some unforeseen treasure that will be uncovered. Something that will allow us to continue to build in other and new ways. This work will certainly be found within the election of Candidates for Bishop that will occur at the Synod, and certainly may occur in other areas as well.
The last portion of the Gospel which was read for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time was not another parable, but a short reflection on them. Jesus asks the disciples, “Have you understood all this? They answered, ‘Yes.’” (Matthew 13:51) I always find this amusing, since it is both true and untrue at the same time. The disciples did understand what Jesus was telling them, but not quite fully. They would continue to build on that understanding all the days of their lives. Like those disciples then, we certainly have undertaken to accomplish great things for our Lord in the work of the Church and in the work of our parishes. But we also acknowledge that there is so much more to be done. We will never be finished with our understanding, just as we will never finish our work to build the Kingdom of Heaven.
And lastly Jesus concludes: “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” (Matthew 13:52)
This saying of our Lord is often thought of as speaking of the importance of both the Old and the New Covenants as expressed within the Old Testament and the New Testament. Or it is also thought of as expressing the old as the plan of salvation history within creation in the Old Testament and the accomplishing of that salvation within the life of Jesus and its extension within the New Testament. But for the Church and especially the Synod delegates, we can also consider it in an especially immediate way. The “old” can be thought of as the tradition of the church which has now been placed within our hands. This tradition is of vital importance to the Church in the present. It the faith and traditions which have been passed down through the centuries. While we certainly must preserve and cherish it, it is not enough for us to do so in a static way. The “new” is the ways in which we live our ancient faith in the present world today. We must be seeking to build the Kingdom of Heaven right in the midst of our families and our parishes.
So, my brothers and sisters, as the time of the Synod approaches, each and every one within the church must be a part of this great opportunity to find the treasure and obtain the pearl of great price. The delegates, both clergy and laity, must ponder the five goals that have been laid out within the past and consider ways in which the Church can continue to build on the work already done. We must also strive to consider new ways and programs that will allow the Church to continue to thrive. This will certainly be accomplished as we consider the election of Candidates for Bishop, but it may also occur even in other unlikely places. For others within the Church, share your ideas and your concerns with your pastor and your delegates, so that the concern and the thoughts of the entire PNCC can be a part of the work of this Synod. If you have no one else to share your ideas with, then send them directly to me at pbmikovsky@pncc.org. Lastly, each and every one of us must be involved in the work of the Synod through our prayers and our worship. Pray diligently each day for the Church and for the delegates who will gather at Holy Synod. Pray for the work of the entire Church that we will strengthen the actions that are presently being accomplished and also that we will find new ways to serve the Lord and build His Kingdom. Attend Holy Mass each week, and more if you can, offering your prayers and receiving our Lord in Holy Communion praying that His presence will not only come into your life, but through the presence of Jesus within you, will fill the entire Church.
Pray that the Synod will accomplish the building of the Kingdom of Heaven among us.
Prayer for the Church
Let us pray for the Polish National Catholic Church as it soon will gather in Holy Synod, that God, the Almighty Father, will give the Church peace and unity, preserve and guide it, so that all may worship Him in peace and tranquility. Almighty and eternal God, You have shown Your glory to all nations in Jesus Christ, Your Son. Guide the work of the Church. Help it to persevere in faith, to proclaim Your name before the world, and to bring salvation to all people, as we strive to continue to build Your Kingdom on earth. We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
National Commissions of the P.N.C.C.
There is still time to consider offering your time and talent in one of the many National Commissions with the Polish National Catholic Church. Although some Commission are made up primarily of clergy, or those with specialized knowledge, there are also many other opportunities to serve the work of the Church bringing your passion and willingness to serve to help the entire Church. The present Commissions of the P.N.C.C. are: 1) Constitution Commission, 2) Mission and Evangelism Commission, 3) Budget and Finance Commission, 4) School of Christian Living Commission, 5) National Commission on Liturgy, 6) Church Doctrine Commission, 7) Clergy Salary and Benefits Commission, 8) History and Archives Commission, 9) Sacred Vocations Commission, 10) Scouting Commission, 11) National Youth Commission, and 12) Auditing Committee.
If you are interested, send an email to pbmikovsky@pncc.org with your name, address, phone number, email address, the Commission on which you would like to serve, and any pertinent information as to your willingness, qualifications and ability to serve.