1 Kings 3:5, 7-12.
Romans 8:28-30.
Matthew 13:44-52.

Finding the Treasure

The gospel readings for this Sunday add three more parables to the ones from the last two Sundays. Jesus gives us three more parables related to the Kingdom of God, including the treasure in the field and the pearl of great price. “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”

The third has a different focus and is about the net thrown into the sea. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. Thus, it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.”

The first two parables tell us that the two “finders” of the treasure and the pearl are willing to give up everything they have to attain what they found. These parables teach us that we are to place everything we value in seeking the Kingdom of God.

In the third parable, the kingdom of heaven is compared to fishing with a wide net. After the fish have been collected, the good fish are kept and the bad fish are thrown away; so too, in the final judgment, will the wicked and the righteous be separated.

These parables ask us what we are willing to give up in order to obtain the treasure of a deep relationship with our loving God. They also ask us what we need to eliminate to be among those who are welcomed into the Kingdom of God.

Often when asked to give up something, people frequently think of money or material goods. This kind of giving is good but there are other ways that may be more personally valuable to us and cost more to let go of. How willing are you to let go of your personal opinions, especially when they cause conflict? How willing are you to let go of prejudice and learn to value all of God’s people? How willing are you to let go of criticism and be open to other people, others’ thoughts and actions? How willing are you to let go of anger and try reconciliation instead?

Solomon, in the first reading, asks for wisdom as he becomes king. It may help you to make choices about what really matters to you if you pray for wisdom. Pray to make choices that make you a better person, a more committed follower of Jesus. Be like the “finders” in the parables that were willing to give up everything for the treasure. Are you willing to give up some habits, thoughts, and actions that prevent you from fully being part of the treasure – the Kingdom of God?

What is one habit, thought or action you need to eliminate from your life now?

Pray for wisdom to help you know what is really of value and what needs to be eliminated from your life in the future to obtain the treasure – the Kingdom of God.