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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