KNOWING AND POSSESSING THE TREASURE

First Reading: 1 Kg 3:5, 7-12
Second Reading: Rom 8:28-30
Gospel: Mt 13:44-52

The treasure is something which we find in the course of our lives without we really being intending to get it. Treasure comes to our hand surprisingly and it has greater value than all that we possess. If we find that treasure, what do we do? How do we react upon discovering the precious treasure in our life? The readings of today are answers to these questions. In the Gospel, Jesus tells three parable. The first two parables are about hidden treasure and a precious pearl. In the Jewish setting, the treasure belongs to the owner of the land where it is found. Even if someone other than the owner finds the treasure s/he cannot legally possess that treasure. Thus, one has to buy the land to get hold of the treasure. Similarly finding Jesus as true God alone is not enough. Anybody with sincere heart in search of truth can discover truth in Jesus but is that alone enough? Can finding Jesus as truth alone guarantee salvation? No. Once we find the treasure we need to own it to get the benefit of that treasure. Therefore, after knowing Jesus we need to get hold of Him. The man in the parable sells everything he has (Mt 13:44) just to possess the land so that he can claim ownership over the hidden treasure. And so, to possess Jesus in our life we need to sell everything we have, no matter whatever they are [Abraham left his father’s house, his land and his kindred to follow the Lord (Gen 12:1-5)]. Because once we encounter Jesus, our live never remains the same. The true life in Jesus radically transforms the person. In front of Jesus all the other persons and things become secondary [loving God more than one’s father, mother, son, daughter, wife and husband is indispensable for the believer (Mt 10:37-39)].

In the first reading, we have young Solomon who has just assumed the throne of his father David. The king plays pivotal role in governing the kingdom. All that the king does affects every person in the kingdom either implicitly or explicitly. Thus, the king should be cautions in doing his job. From the history of Israel we know that the idea of kingship is the petition of the people (1 Sam 8:6). God never wanted monarchy for Israel. God said to Prophet Samuel that in asking for a king to rule over them, the people of Israel have had rejected the kingship of the Lord God (1 Sam 8:7). Israel is the possession of the Lord God. They are His treasure. Therefore, the one who becomes the King in Israel is taking the place of God in governing the God’s chosen people. King Solomon understood this great responsibility very well. For he says, “your servant is in the midst of the people whom You have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted” (1Kg 3:8)… “For who can govern this your great people?” (1Kg 3:9). To govern God’s people we need the mind of God to reason and act. Thus, King Solomon asks for an understanding mind and the wisdom to discern between good and evil (1Kg 3:9). In asking this, King Solomon has made God as the center of His kingship. The people of Israel are not that simple to be govern over. They are stiff-necked people who often forget the blessings and let out curses. Solomon as a King is not only sitting on a glorious throne but also has stiff-necked people in front of Him. In this context, asking for Wisdom is the right thing to do. For Solomon, his Kingship is the treasure – taking the place of God on the earth. To get hold of that treasure he gives up everything – pleasure, wealth, army, long life and so forth. To God, Solomon could have asked anything that is worldly to enjoy his kingship but He asked for the Wisdom. He knows that all the other thing are only passing. To act in the place of God as God acts is the greatest thing. As a king, taking the place of God alone is not sufficient, one needs to act as God would act. Solomon pursues towards that.

In our Christian life, the greatest treasure is being the child of God. We need to do away with everything else just to get hold of this position. Knowing Jesus alone is not important, we need to possess Him as our master and Lord. If only we follow his commandments, He becomes our Master and Lord. For God, the greatest treasure among whole creation is we – human beings. To get hold of us, to possess us for eternity, He left His divine prerogative to be God in heaven and took the form of human on this world (Phil 2:6-8). God gained the treasure (we) by humbling Himself on the Cross. Solomon too gained the treasure by humbly asking for invisible wisdom rather than any visible riches. Although treasure is found without much of our effort, we can possess that treasure if only we are humble enough to give up everything else. What is the greatest treasure in our life? What do we need to posses that treasure? May the Holy Spirit grant the wisdom of heart to discern our path in Christian living.    

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