"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.”

On this 17^th Sunday in ordinary time year A, we conclude with chapter 13 of the gospel of Matthew a passage that contains the highest number of parables in the whole of the gospels. And this Sunday we are presented with the parables of the buried treasure and that of the costly pearl as well as the parable of the dragnet. The parable of the buried treasure reminds us that in the ancient Palestinian setting, treasures such as money, jewelries and even religious treasures such as the scrolls were often buried in the fields as almost a secured way of preservation them due to frequent battles and foreign inversions, although sometimes, these valuables were either forgotten or left unclaimed. The treasure means abundance of gifts, while the pearl indicates the beauty of the kingdom. 

The parables of the treasure and the pearl challenge us to sell everything that we have for the sake of the kingdom. What counts is that one must lose something in order to have it. The attitude of the two persons in the parables shows that the kingdom of God is not already-made neither is it predestined; it is rather revealed to those who are on a move, and to those who are ready to give up themselves for its sake. Most of the time, we are chasing false treasures such as money, status or pleasure, and often, we are locked into regrets over the past, or focused too much on the future. As a result, the enriching present passes us by, and the treasure is never discovered. Thus, the really valuable pearl of sharing in God’s life through Jesus here on earth and later in Heaven is never found. Let us always remember that Heaven is within the reach of all of us who try to do the will of God, following the ordinary vocations of life and enjoying this world’s joys and pleasures within the framework of God’s Commandments. Right now, it is for us to use the time given to us to go in search of the pearl of great price and to help others in their search.

The Gospel of this week enables us to reflect on the questions: ‘What do we treasure? Who do we treasure?’ It is certainly worth acknowledging the fact that we are called to treasure many things in life. I should serve my family, my church, and my neighbor. I should value good work in my vocation. I should delight in the good gifts of God and His majestic creation, but the Kingdom of God requires that the treasures in our lives should be ordered in a particular way. Our priority is to God. The aim of our life is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. Ordering our loves, ordering what we treasure with God at the top leads to joy as we hear in the Gospel: “With joy, he goes and sells everything he has.”

Whether we are looking for it or not, the invitation of the treasures of the kingdom are here for us. Do we see it? Do we see the treasure? Do we have ears to hear? Do we have eyes to see? Indeed, being a Christian is like being a pearl merchant, being a Christian is like being a treasure seeker. It involves total dedication and commitment. St. Paul refers to it in a letter to the Corinthians that “Every athlete in training submits to strict discipline in order to be crowned with a wreath that will not last.” May the power of the Holy Spirit descend upon each one of us and infuse in our hearts the grace of God so that we may learn to align our lives with the plan of God, and remain a focus in our daily journey towards discovering and rediscovering God the Eternal Treasure.