Unearthing treasure

Matthew 13:44-52

          When I was being ordained, a casual friend asked why I would do such a thing? I attribute that to the person not really appreciating the joy and peace that comes from knowing and serving God.  No recrimination, no remedial religion lessons, we are all on different journeys. Still I think I found the hidden treasure in the field and I was willing to give up a great deal simply to say yes and serve. A large portion of my life has been devoted to a relationship with God who has called me and saved me.

         It makes me wonder though about how we perceive that treasure in the field. How would you judge a person who devoted their life to the solitude of a cloistered monk, or a Priest who decides never to marry and devote their lives in earnest to God in that way? To them they are called but it is also their treasure in the field that are clearly giving their life to. Is there an equalization between those who turn their back on  God and those that devote their entire lives to Him?  Ideally, I believe no Priests , evangelists, monks or nuns would be needed if we all acknowledged God in our own way. Everyone would acknowledge God, serve Him in their own called way, love each other and we'd have a perfect world - in theory.

           You'd be happy that I celebrated God's world by being an artist, or teacher, or some such.  I would celebrate you as a physician, musician or scientist. There would be respect for everyone and for whomever they were created as. Gay, straight, asexual, perhaps even poly amorous. I don't know for sure. I do know that if we all accepted who we are and did a better job at accepting others for who they are, it would be a better world.

        In accepting yourself and loving others, you have found the pearl of great price, the hidden treasure in the field, the joy and meaning of life.

     

Three Parables

‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.
‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Treasures New and Old

‘Have you understood all this?’ They answered, ‘Yes.’ And he said to them, ‘Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.’