The Feast of Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi
Readings:
Phil 2:1-11, Ps. Is.12:2-6, Matt.13:44-46
Rev.
Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.
GOD'S
KINGDOM IS OUR ULTIMATE TREASURE
There is no doubt in my mind that every human being desires to make it
into the kingdom of God. But what will lead us to that kingdom is where people
have challenges that will often make it seem as if they are not interested.
Therefore, what are the things that will
help us to understand the importance of embracing those things that will lead
us to God's Kingdom? This is what we have in our Gospel passage today, where
Jesus used two parables to describe to the people that the kingdom of God is the
greatest and ultimate treasure anyone can and should acquire.
Here,
he describes the kingdom of God as the ultimate treasure that cannot be compared
to anything whatsoever we have in this world. However, the kingdom is open for
all, but not all can be suitable to dwell in it, only those who on the
judgement day are found suitable can be admitted into the kingdom. Using these
parables Jesus explains what the kingdom of heaven is like and what we need to
do in order to acquire it.
Thus,
in the life of Blessed Michael Iwene Tansi whose Feast we celebrate today, we
see a man who understood these parables, one who discovered the great treasure
of heaven, sold everything and acquired it. In Tansi we see how the light of
faith sowed in him like the mustard seed grows to give hope to many people.
Tansi was born in Aguleri, Anambra State on
September 1903, but died in Leicester, England on 20th January 1964. He was
ordained a Roman Catholic priest for the Archdiocese of Onitsha. He was known
for love of neighbour, healing and reconciliation of the people with God, with
oneself, with one another and with the created reality.
Tansi
dedicated himself not only to daily contemplative prayer but also to active
ministry. He evangelized the youth, prepared couples for marriage, visited the
sick, was a very good confessor, promoted vocations to the priesthood and
religious life, and provided for the needs of the poor. Hence, in Tanis, We see
a man who understood that the kingdom of heaven is so precious and great, that
it is worth more than our entire life and our worldly possessions and
treasures.
Dear
friends, obtaining the ultimate treasure of heaven requires the sacrifice of
all our worldly possessions. Though in the world we have different kinds of
treasures. But the question is: what is your ultimate treasure? How are we searching for it? Are we
really ready to sacrifice all for this treasure? So, let us learn from Tansi,
whose life shows us how the humble beginning of the Christian faith sown in him
was well watered by the Holy Spirit to grow and give life and hospitality to
people of the world.
Little
wonder St. Paul in our first reading says: that though Jesus was in the form of
God, he did not count equality with
God as a thing to be grapes. For he rather emptied himself in humble obedience to
God his Father. Therefore, today we are called to empty ourselves of the
passing things of this world in order to humbly acquire the heavenly treasure
just like Tansi who humbly sacrificed the treasures of this passing world in
order to embrace the treasures of heaven.
LET US
PRAY: Lord God, the world is full of distractions from false treasures, through
the intercession of Blessed Tansi, give us grace to discover the treasures of
your kingdom and nurture these treasures in faith, holiness and hospitality which
we received during our baptism in order to give up all our attachment to
worldly possessions in pursue of the heavenly and ultimate treasure of your
kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you.
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