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The Treasure Hunt

U. S. A. | SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

July 30, 2014, Wednesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

Matthew 13: 44-46

Jesus said to his disciples: "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."

Introductory Prayer: Lord, you have made me for yourself, and my heart is restless until I rest in you. I want to encounter you more deeply today so that you can be my treasure. Thank you for the gift of this new day. I know you love me. I wish to discover your love more deeply and give it to others.

Petition: Lord, help me to treasure the gift of your friendship.

1. In Search of a Treasure: The restlessness in our hearts can be compared to a hunt for treasure. In different ways we all experience the desire for unconditional love, true goodness, the answer to our deepest questions. In Christ, God has come to give himself to us. He is the one we truly long for; he is our greatest treasure. During this time of prayer let us deepen our awareness of the greatness of his gift of friendship, and let us strengthen this friendship by our openness to his love.

2. The Priceless Treasure: In Christ we have experienced the overwhelming faithfulness of God’s love for us. In his mercy we discover that our life has infinite value in the Father’s eyes. In his teachings we discover the wisdom to build our life on solid ground. In his grace we receive the strength to grow in love and holiness. This is where we can build a true future. This is where we can live up to our calling to greatness. But we must be willing to leave aside all other concerns to really possess this treasure. We must leave aside anything that tries to give us a false sense of security outside of God. Am I making my friendship with Christ the one value that guides my heart and my decisions?

3. The Unopened Treasure Chest: Unpacking this treasure is the work of our spiritual life. We need to cooperate with Christ’s grace in order to truly possess this treasure. The cultivation of faith, hope and charity helps us discover and live this treasure more fully each day. Our sacrifices and renunciations done to put on the new man help us dig this treasure out of the earthy make-up of our lives. Living generous charity helps us make this treasure truly last and enrich our lives. Am I sincerely allowing Christ’s treasure to transform me?

Conversation with Christ: Lord, thank you for the gift of your love. You are the treasure I truly long for. Help me to enter more deeply into your heart this day by doing things your way no matter what the cost. Help me to value the gift of your friendship above everything else.

Resolution: I will make a small sacrifice of my time to do something extra for someone who needs God’s love.

Homily of the Day

July 30, 2014

The crisis of the prophet Jeremiah is also ours. When life is hard, we question about our existence and especially about the love of God. These struggles are inevitable even if we feel we do not deserve them. And when trials come, we complain. I did not fall short of care and attention for my spouse yet, why was I abandoned? Why do I have this special child? The future awaits me but now with my terminal sickness there is nothing but death. Why am I always a failure?

We have read about Job in the Old Testament who was beset with misfortunes one after the other. He lost his wealth. He lost his children and friends. He was shunned by everybody because of his revolting skin disease. Yet, he did not lose faith in God. He believed in God’s goodness. These trials brought him to a personal encounter of who God is. It is not anymore an experience that came from knowledge or lesson learned from parents, but this God became Job’s personal God. In the storms of life we can call out to the Lord like Peter: “Lord, if it is you, call me.” The Lord is not far,he will stretch out his hand to raise us up because he never confounds those who invoke his name.