Thursday 29 July 2010

Treasure Hidden, Pearl of Price



Greatest Treasure of Great Value
Readings. Jer. 15:10, 16-21
Mt. 13: 44-46
To day the Bible Readings speak about the greatest treasure of great value.
In the first reading: the prophet Jeremiah found his treasure in preaching the Word of God. As a consequence, he suffered abuse and offense. God tells Jeremiah to take his call as a challenge and trust God and He’ll be with him. 
In the second reading: Jesus tells two parables about the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God being like a treasure hidden in the field and the Kingdom of God is like a pearl of great value.
The treasure in the field was hidden and therefore they needed concentration and discerning eye to find the treasure. The Gospel challenges us who is the Kingdom of God and it also challenges us what is our response to that Kingdom of God.
The Catechism teaches us (CCC 2816) the Kingdom of God means Christ Himself. Jesus said, “The Kingdom of God is in you”.
The Kingdom of God has arrived in Incarnation, Passion, death and Resurrection of Jesus and therefore Jesus says, “Seek first the Kingdom” (Mt. 6:33) and his righteousness and all things will be given to you as well”. What we are asked to do is to give first place in our hearts to Jesus.
The Gospel says when these two people found out the treasure and the pearl of enormous value of joy, they sold everything they owned and acquired it. Contrast this with the rich young man Jesus met who was unable to give away all he possessed and went away sorrowful. (Mt. 19:22).
-                     Let us look at the Saints in heaven. When they experienced the sweetness of the Lord, they sacrificed everything in order to gain heaven and the eternal life the pearl of enormous value which Christ wants to offer to them.
-                     Jesus, the Kingdom of God comes to us in the Eucharist. Our response to Him would be, “ Lord, you are my treasure, my pearl, my delight of soul, my life, my salvation and my only hope.
-                     Help me to meet life’s demands. Amen.
Fr. Santosh

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