The Kingdom of God is like a hidden Treasure

The Kingdom of God is like a hidden Treasure

By REV. FR. SAMUEL FREDERICK

Ex. 34:29-35, Mt. 13:44-46. At some turning points in our lives and certainly at the hour of death, we are faced with the prospect of leaving all behind to embrace something radically new. Today's first reading describes the radiant face of Moses as he descends the mountain of the Lord. This mighty warrior had led his people out of Egypt towards the 'Promised Land'. After being in intimate conversation with God, Moses had such a foretaste of Heaven that “the skin of his face became radiant.” The peace, strength and compassion of God shone from the eyes and face of Moses, to show the overpowering radiance of the divine light. Every time Moses re-enters the presence of the Lord, he lifts his veil to be re-enlightened and re-charged by God. To charge the people of His time to find something of high value by God, Jesus presents us with a parable of the Kingdom of God as a hidden treasure. Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea.

Such large crowds gathered around Him that He got into a boat and sat down and the whole crowd stood along the shore. In the box of treasure and the other a priceless pearl. How they make these discoveries is quite different. One finds treasure by accident, while not looking for anything in particular. He was working for wages, digging in someone else’s field and the last thing He expected to find was a trunk of buried treasure. In the other case, the merchant was actively searching for fine pearls and, eventually, as a result of persistent searching, found one pearl of great value which stood out from all the rest. The images of the Kingdom of God suggest that our relationship with God is greater than any earthly treasure. The first parable suggests that this treasure comes to us as a grace. We can be surprised by God’s gracious initiative, hidden beneath the surface of our lives. Grace can break through to us when we are least expecting it. The second parable highlights the importance of search to know God. The person who seeks will find and if we knock we will have the door opened. We can be and will be, surprised by grace, but also we are called to seek Him with the utmost sincerity of our heart.

May the Lord help us to experience the presence of God at all times so that He will continue to remain the source of enlightenment and re-charging of our purpose in life! Amen!! Good morning and have a glorious day!!!

Our Social Media