Readings: 1 Kings 3:5,7-12; Romans 8:28-30; Matthew 13:44-52
Where I fall is where I find Gold
1. A number of years ago, a geologist named Dr. John T. Williamson was doing some work in the country of Tanzania. One day, he found himself driving in a deserted area, slipping and sliding along a rain-soaked road. Suddenly his four-wheel drive vehicle sank up to its axles in the mud and got stuck. Pulling out his shovel, Dr. Williamson began the unpleasant task of digging out of a mud hole. He had been at it for a while when his shovel uncovered something strange. It was pink-like stone of some sort. Being a geologist and naturally curious about rock formations, he picked it up and wiped away the mud. The more mud he recovered, the more excited he became, and could hardly believe what he saw. When the stone was finally clean, Dr. Williamson was beside himself with joy. He had discovered a diamond. Now, any diamond at all would be a surprise in that situation; but Dr. Williamson found what became known as the famous pink diamond of Tanzania. That stone today sits in the royal scepter of Great Britain, and Dr. Williamson is famous around the world for his find – as accidental as it may have been.
2. This story illustrates the point Jesus raised in today’s Gospel. He likened the kingdom of heaven to a treasure buried in a field or a pearl of great price, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. These parables were perfectly natural and easily understood by the people in Palestine in the days of Jesus, and even by many people in the rural areas of the world. In those days there were banks, but not banks for ordinary people. Ordinary people would rather use the ground as the safest place to keep their most cherished belongings. Recall the parable of the talent in Matthew 25:25. The man who received one talent buried it in the ground and later brought it out to the master when asked for it. It was a common practice for people to hide their valuables in the ground, before they took to flight during war, in the hope that the day would come when they could return and regain them. It was, therefore, easy for someone to stumble on a buried treasure in the field or find a pearl of great price buried in the field. A merchant would hide the pearl and sold all he had to buy it.
3. We live in a world full of wants, needs, desires and undue expectations. We are never satisfied with what we have, and so, we are in search of something better. We want a better house, a better car, a comfortable life and the best for our children. Nothing seems to quench our desire for more. No matter what we own, it is never enough, so, we pray for more – the more the merrier, seems to be our slogan. If we do not get what we need on our own, we take it to the Lord in prayer and ask for divine intervention. In the first reading we see that Solomon also appealed to the Lord for help. Solomon has just succeeded his father, David, as king of Israel. To begin his reign, Solomon prayed for an understanding heart, so that he could reign well. Of all that Solomon could have asked for, he chose to pray for wisdom. With the wisdom that comes from God, he will lead the people according to God’s heart. God was pleased with his request, “Because you have asked for this – not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right – I do as you requested. In addition, I give you what you have not asked for, such riches and glory that among kings there is not your like.” (1 Kings 3:11-13).
4. What do we pray for? It is important to pray for the right intention at the right time. Sometimes we pray for too many intentions at the same time. We seem to forget that God is our father who knows our every need. He will provide for us whether we ask for it or not. Jesus even tells us what to ask for in prayer. “If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Lk. 11:13). He tells us how to pray: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matt. 6:7-8). After all, “All things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28). St. Paul reminds us that “The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.” Our prayer should be well thought out and our intentions, few. We should also think of what to do if our prayers are answered. Can we handle all the things we ask for? Solomon did not ask for himself but for others and for the glory of God. The gift of wisdom bestowed on him was to help him continue with the task of governance, to be an effective and good leader. He was enabled to rule wisely and to establish a kingdom of love, justice and peace. What do we do with our gifts and blessings? Do we use them for the glory of God and for the good of our brothers and sisters?
5. What we need in life is simple; to be happy, to be at peace with God and others, to do right, to love justice and to walk humbly before God. We should seek the revelation of the truth, the knowledge of what is good and abhor evil in all its ramifications. We must work earnestly towards our life with God in his kingdom, where we hope, one day, to behold his beatific vision. This is the hidden treasure. This is our pearl of great price. Until we find these treasures our hearts will continue to be empty and our needs will never be satisfied. How do we find these treasures? We were given the tools on the day of Baptism. We were clothed with white garment, given lighted candle as our guide and the word of God as our shield. We must be Christians in word and deed. It is by going about our normal business that we find the treasure; it is when we trip and fall while doing our work that we find the gold of eternal life. The treasure is found by sheer luck. The one who finds it sells all that he has to purchase the field where it is buried. Symbolically, this implies that becoming a member of the kingdom of heaven is a sheer gift of the Lord. He decides who will receive the treasure. The treasure is not given for an individual’s benefit. The recipient has to share it with others so that the kingdom can grow. It is the same with the pearl of great price. The one who finds it goes and sells all he has to purchase it. The kingdom of God is not a mere substitute for something else, it is the finest possession that gives life and it is worth spending and selling all that one has to purchase it. It is the real possession that will give us eternal life, joy and peace.
6. Finally, these parables describe different ways in which people find the kingdom. By chance, by diligent search and by careful discernment. No matter which way one finds it, what is important and necessary is the wisdom to recognize the surpassing worth of the kingdom and be part of it. Let us pray that we may find the one treasure that will assure our eternal happiness. May the Eucharist we celebrate, our daily prayer, our sacrifices and our witnessing to the gospel, direct us to find the hidden treasure in our world. May we know how to use of the things of this world so as to find our way to our eternal Father in heaven. Amen
Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP
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