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As a mother of four daughters, we often would play treasure hunts both indoors and outdoors, a game familiar to many families with young children. The most favourite of all was the exciting Easter egg hunt each year. The girls were encouraged to look and seek for their hidden treasure using clues in the form of riddles or rhymes to help them locate the ‘prized chocolate eggs.’ Sometimes the clues were obvious and could be solved quite easily. At other times it took a collaborative effort to help figure out where the hidden treasure could be found.
Jesus shares with us today in Matthew’s Gospel, three parables about the Kingdom of heaven which include the hidden treasure in a field, the fine pearls and the dragnet cast into the sea. These spiritual truths veiled within these stories are an invitation which lead us into a more deeper intimate personal relationship with Jesus as his disciples.
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The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field which someone has found invites us to embrace and live fully the Sacramental life. The hidden treasures can be found in our Church, the bride of Christ who has been lovingly entrusted to share with us the Sacraments of initiation through Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Sacraments of healing through Reconciliation, and Anointing of the Sick, and the Sacraments of service through Marriage and Ordination. Participation and receiving these graces the Lord has chosen to use for our sanctification and salvation are marvellous, wonderful gifts. The beauty and the power of the Sacraments through simple elements like water, bread, wine, and oil are used to nourish, strengthen, heal, and transform us.
The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls is an illustration relevant for us today. God doesn’t force himself upon us, instead we need to seek him out. This desire to find Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit is a quest we all must partake in because He doesn’t reveal himself unless we search. The pearl of great price exceeds anything else on earth when we discover and realise its value. We can encounter Jesus, who is the pearl of great price daily, through the Sacrament of Love, Eucharist at Mass. The intimacy of gazing upon Him when the Priest beholds the Host is embracing the mystery, value, beauty, power, and glory of God.
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The kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea that brings in a haul of all kinds is a call to evangelisation as missionary disciples, a call echoed by Pope Francis today. He writes in Evangelii Gaudium, “The new evangelisation calls for personal involvement on the part of each of the baptised. Every Christian is challenged, here and now, to be actively engaged in evangelisation; indeed, anyone who has truly experienced God’s saving love does not need much time or lengthy training to go out and proclaim that love.” Just like the fishermen hauling in the nets, Jesus saw their hearts and characteristics of obedience, working together, dedication, and courage. If we are to be fishers of people, it means taking the love of Christ to others, therefore playing a unique role in salvation history.
In summary we are encouraged to spend this life searching, finding, and searching more as if we are on a treasure hunt. Treasure has a special connection to the heart, the place of desire and longing, the place of will and focus. Do you know the date of your Baptism? The door which gives access to the other Sacraments. Do you long to seek a more personal intimate relationship with Jesus? Eucharist and adoration are ways to encounter Him more and abide in His presence. Do you know how to share, like one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread? Be encouraged to tell your story, this is who I was, this is what Jesus did for me, this is who I am now. Unlike my daughters when they were younger, whose favourite prize was finding their chocolate eggs, may our own personal treasure hunt lead us to the prize more precious and valuable in this life seeking the Kingdom of God. As spoken in the words of Jesus to his disciples, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”.
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