Readings: 1kings 3:5.7-12, Ps 119; Rom. 8:28-30; Matt. 13: 44-52
Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia
OBTAINING YOUR ULTIMATE TREASURE OF LIFE REQUIRES THE SACRIFICE OF ALL THAT YOU HAVE
Every day under the terrible scourges of the sun and noisy streets, people struggle to acquire things that they value as treasures of life. The quarrelling and fighting in our streets, the early morning rush, the traffic jam, the aggressive words we give and receive every day, all just to acquire things of this life and make them our treasures of life. And people are never tired of acquiring properties for themselves and their future generations, forgetting that all these things will pass away sooner or later, just as we ourselves will expire from this world. Thus, this Sunday we are called to reflect on what should be our ultimate treasure and how we can acquire it.
In our first reading and the Gospel, we heard of the need to focus our attention on the search for the ultimate treasure. And for King Solomon, his greatest treasure was the wisdom and discernment to govern the people entrusted to him. So when the Lord appeared to him in a dream not long after he had succeeded his father, King David, the Lord told him to ask whatever he wanted, and it would be given to him. In a display of wisdom, Solomon asked for a listening heart to understand how to discern between good and evil, enabling him to govern God's people effectively.
Though he would have asked for more power, glory or wealth, he asked for the wisdom to discern the good from the bad and to be able to lead the people of God wisely in the ways of the Lord. The Lord was pleased with Solomon's request and promised to bless him and his people with a wise and discerning mind like none before and after him. So, the wisdom that he obtained was not so much of selfish desire or for personal gain, but for his office as a leader. And as we know, wisdom and discernment are part of the characteristics of heavenly treasures.
Little wonder, in the Gospel, Jesus used three parables to describe to the people that the kingdom of God is the greatest and ultimate treasure anyone can and should acquire. He said to them: the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes off happy, sells everything he owns and buys the field.
Again he said, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls; when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it. And lastly, he said, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea that brings in fish of all kinds. When it is full, the fishermen haul it ashore; then, sitting down, they collect the good ones in a basket and throw away those that are no use.
Here, the first and second parables describe the kingdom of God as the ultimate treasure that cannot be compared to anything whatsoever we have in this world while the third parable tells us that 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. The essence of these parables is to remind us 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.
Therefore, we must do all that it takes to ensure that we acquire it, losing it over the temporal pleasure, joy, glory, fame, power and influence of the things of this passing world will be complete foolishness. For none of them last forever, and what good is it for us to gain the whole world but lose our soul out of God’s kingdom? Thus, St. Paul in our second reading tells us that God co-operates with all those who love and desire his kingdom, those who are called according to his purpose. For those he called he justified, and with those he justified he shares his glory.
Dear friends, in the midst of false and perishable treasures around us, what is your ultimate treasure of life? If the Lord should allow us to make a request for what our heart desires, what would you request? Solomon sought an understanding mind to govern and care for God’s people. He wanted the ability to discern between good and evil. He recognised that a selfish attitude could not sustain his kingdom, so he requested heavenly treasure.
Today how many of us are paying attention to this ultimate heavenly treasure? What is our ultimate treasure in this life? How many think and search for this ultimate treasure of our souls? How many desire to personally discover God in their life? How I wish we would understand the shortness of this life, the emptiness of this passing world and the danger of losing our soul out of greediness for the things of this passing world. Then, we will sincerely desire to experience God personally, because in him lies the ultimate treasure of life. And discovering God personally is the greatest treasure one can ever have.
PRAYER: Almighty God, the world is full of distractions from false treasures; give us a wise and discerning heart to give up all our attachments to worldly possessions in pursuit of the heavenly and ultimate treasure of your kingdom, through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you.
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