Hidden Treasure
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys the field.”

A Costly Pearl
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls,
and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

I have always loved these two images about the priceless treasure – that once recognized – the men go after the treasures with all their energy and wealth.  They sell all; they are fully committed to gaining/possessing the treasure or pearl.

There certainly is a lesson here: once we recognize what is most important in life – the “treasure” of finding that the spiritual life is most important...for nourishing relationships with God and all of creation…then put all our energies into nurturing that inner life.

That pursuit of finding the treasure and pearl…and then keeping them requires a disciplined life of cutting away all distractions that would hinder the essence of enjoying the treasures.

At the same time, I have always wondered about securing the treasure and then leaving it “hidden in the field.”  And for the man with the pearl, did he just possess it for himself alone?  Or did both men do something with their treasures?  Did they share them?  What’s the next part of the story?

Here is an opportunity for us to think about the “treasures” we pursue….and why we are pursuing them.  As I get older – 66 years old – I find my view of “treasures” to be evolving into new images of what I am to become when I grow up.  The way things are going now, I will probably live another 40 years…..so what’s next?

The message for me in this gospel today is this: 
I need to be a “bridge” – I need to take the riches of what I have found in my life and share them with others.  I, who am most blessed, need to take those blessings and share them with those who are not as fortunate as I am.  I need to find ways of sharing my “treasures” with others.  I don’t think I should bury them or just posses them.

How I share the special treasures given to me becomes the challenge.  But with 40 more years, I should be able to figure something out…..Enjoy your treasures and talents and share them.