Wednesday of 17th Week in Ordinary Time
THE BURIED TREASURE
Jeremiah is the first of the prophets to call God into account. Since he has given his life to God and his God-given mission, how come that he has to suffer so much to do God’s work? God’s answer is: Be converted. Trust in God even in your doubt and continue your mission. It is our lot and way to live with doubts and problems, and still to trust God. He is with us, even if we do not see it. That, precisely, is faith.
The two parables of today stress, each in its own way, that one should give up everything in order to possess the kingdom. In the first parable, the kingdom is the treasure, in the second, not the pearl, not the thing, but the person in constant search of it. Our search should concern the things that really matter: God’s reign among people, which, in response to God’s grace, we prepare through our love, our justice, our service, our compassion and forgiveness, by which we let Christ’s death and resurrection become a reality in our day. But it is a search – an ongoing quest, never fully achieved, but always, so we hope, in growth and progress.
First Reading: Jeremiah 15:10-11; 16-21
Unlucky mother—that you had me as a son,
given the unhappy job of indicting the whole country!
I’ve never hurt or harmed a soul,
and yet everyone is out to get me.
But, God knows, I’ve done everything I could to help them,
prayed for them and against their enemies.
I’ve always been on their side, trying to stave off disaster.
God knows how I’ve tried!
You know where I am, God! Remember what I’m doing here!
Take my side against my detractors.
Don’t stand back while they ruin me.
Just look at the abuse I’m taking!
When your words showed up, I ate them—
swallowed them whole. What a feast!
What delight I took in being yours,
O God, God-of-the-Angel-Armies!
I never joined the party crowd
in their laughter and their fun.
Led by you, I went off by myself.
You’d filled me with indignation. Their sin had me seething.
But why, why this chronic pain,
this ever worsening wound and no healing in sight?
You’re nothing, God, but a mirage,
a lovely oasis in the distance—and then nothing!
This is how God answered me:
“Take back those words, and I’ll take you back.
Then you’ll stand tall before me.
Use words truly and well. Don’t stoop to cheap whining.
Then, but only then, you’ll speak for me.
Let your words change them.
Don’t change your words to suit them.
I’ll turn you into a steel wall,
a thick steel wall, impregnable.
They’ll attack you but won’t put a dent in you
because I’m at your side, defending and delivering.”
God’s Decree.
“I’ll deliver you from the grip of the wicked.
I’ll get you out of the clutch of the ruthless.”
Gospel – Matthew 13:44-46
“God’s kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field for years and then accidentally found by a trespasser. The finder is ecstatic—what a find!—and proceeds to sell everything he owns to raise money and buy that field. “Or, God’s kingdom is like a jewel merchant on the hunt for exquisite pearls. Finding one that is flawless, he immediately sells everything and buys it.
Prayer
Lord God, our Father,
our heart remains restless
until it has discovered the peace you offer us
in your Son, Jesus Christ.
Help us to put our trust and joy
not in brittle, perishable things
but in your Son, his Good News
and the kingdom he came to build among us.
Make us poor and receptive,
give each of us an attentive and wise heart
that keeps seeking until we have found you
in Jesus and in people,
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Reflection:
27 July 2022
Matthew 13:44-46
The paradox of giving up everything to receive a free gift!
In the old days, whenever there were threats of war, rich people would hide their wealth and valuables under the floors of houses before fleeing the place, with a hope to recover them on their return. Many times, the owners could not return and someone else occupied the land or house without knowing about the wealth that lay hidden beneath their feet.
The first parable in today’s Gospel (v. 44) takes one of these stories: by accident a man discovers a treasure in the field he is working. He hides it again; goes to sell everything he has and buys that field.
The treasure which Jesus speaks about is the kingdom of heaven. This treasure has an incalculable value and is only gradually discovered by people. One who recognises its value, decides to gamble even his own life on it, because everything else turns worthless if he misses out this treasure. This treasure is found by chance – meaning to say, God offers it freely to people. It is not a reward for their good works.
Whoever finds it out, should not hesitate, be perplexed or doubt. If one hesitates, he loses
precious time, a favourable opportunity that may not return. The decision must be
taken urgently, because cannot afford to miss the appointment with the Lord. Then, one has to bet everything. We are not asked to give up just something, but, everything to obtain the target.
Similar reaction is found in the second parable – of the pearl. The merchant who finds it, purchases it at any cost, and certainly not for resale. The discovery of the Kingdom of God involves a radical change. This is the meaning of the decision to “sell everything one has to buy the field.“
This is what happened to Paul, who was convinced that the Torah was the treasure that would give him salvation until one day, on his way to Damascus, he encounters with Christ. And later he would explain that encounter in this way: “But once I found Christ, I have let everything fall away and I now consider all as garbage, if instead, I may gain Christ” (Phil 3:7-8).
The second parable is called the twin of the previous one. But, it differs in some significant details: first of all, it is a wealthy merchant who travels the world with a very specific goal: to find pearls. Unlike the farmer who accidentally stumbles into a treasure, the merchant finds the pearl after an exhausting search.
The two parables are complementary: The Kingdom of God, on the one hand, is a free gift of God, and on the other is also a fruit of human diligence.
Video available on Youtube: The paradox of giving up everything to receive a free gift!