Wednesday, 17th Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s gospel reading challenges us to ask ourselves: What are the things we consider as priceless? Jesus says, “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of great joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” Same as saying: “No matter how much you may own, no matter how much political power you may hold, no matter how glamorous and popular you may be, no matter how high on the IQ scale you may register, if you have missed out on the kingdom of heaven, you have missed out on the one thing in life whose value far exceeds all others.”
So, the question is: Are we willing and ready to give up whatever is necessary to secure that treasure and pearl we can find in the Lord? Are we willing “to sell all we have” in order for us to possess the real treasure, which is the kingdom of God? Is our entire life focused on the kingdom of God?
Jesus says, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you besides.” What the Lord Jesus is telling us is basically this: “Love God above everything else, above everybody else.” “Surrender to his will, situate all the other concerns of your life – legitimate as they are – within that over-arching framework.” “Your life must be first and last about God.” “What you must be concerned about, first and last, is God.” And then, the rest of your life, with all its concerns and issues, its activities and affairs, its worries and anxieties, will fall into place… it will have the right orientation.”
Our Christian life is a huge cache of valuables, a supply of riches, a field of spiritual treasures. All the riches and treasures of the kingdom can be ours, IF we make a room or leave a space in our life to receive them. But IF our life is so full of material things, IF our heart is so full of worldly desires, IF our mind is so full of ourselves and our interests, of course, there will be no more room for the kingdom… there will be no more space for kingdom-treasures in our life. If our treasure chest has any worthless trash, the garbage needs to be tossed away to make room for more valuables.
Let us pray that we may have the wisdom to know and value what is right and true, what is good and beautiful. Nothing more, nothing less.
Parokya ni Osong 