Wednesday 30^th July – Wednesday of week 17 of the year

Reflection: Matthew 13: 44 -46

FINDING A TREASURE

The dictionary defines a “treasure” as something that is highly valued by its owner. Today, Christ likens the Kingdom of Heaven to a treasure found in a field and to pearls of very high value. Let us look closely at these parables and see what message our Lord is passing across us.

First, in both parables, there is some effort on the part of the person who finds the treasure. The first parable shows that the treasure is hidden in a field. Hence the man who found it must have put in lots of effort before discovering where the treasure was hidden. The same goes for the second as the merchant is described as looking for fine pearls. Hence he didn’t simply stumble upon the pearls of great value. He was in fact looking for them.

Secondly, in both parables, the persons who find the treasure and the pearl have to sell all they have in other to buy the valuable treasures they have found. Hence the treasure and the pearls are much more valuable to them than everything they have. The kingdom of Heaven is really a treasure. It’s the reason for our creation.

The grace of becoming God’s children which we receive at baptism is a free gift. However, we still have our role to play if the gift of our faith is to truly become a treasure for us. If we do not sincerely seek to grow in our relationship with God; the grace of our divine sonship would mean nothing to us and we can easily become carried away by this world. As we increase our knowledge about God through His word, we come to treasure His kingdom above all things and only then can we truly give up our all in this world for the sake of our eternal happiness. Have you found the greatest treasure of all? What are you doing in order to obtain it?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, please help me to recognize the great treasure of your kingdom and strengthen me to live out the fullness of my faith so as to obtain the gift of eternal life you have promised to all who seek you. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 546 – The proclamation of the kingdom of God

…Through His parables, Jesus invites people to the feast of he kingdom, but he also asks for a radical choice: to gain the kingdom, one must give everything. Words are not enough, deeds are required. The parables are like mirrors for man: will he be hard soil or good earth for the word? What use has he made of the talents he has received?…

HIDE A TREASURE: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 RSV-CE

Readings for today: Jeremiah 15: 10, 16-21; Psalm 59: 2-5, 10-11, 17-18; Matthew 13: 44-46