treasure hunt

Jeremiah 15:10,16-21; Psalm 59 God is my refuge on the day of distress; Matthew 13:44-46

"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."


Treasure: what a beautiful word. The instant the word "treasure" is pressed upon our lips, our heart seems to jump and the young child in us all gets excited.

How many times in our childhood did we imagine finding a "treasure?" How many times did we draw up our own "treasure map" where the proverbial X marked the spot?


Treasure always pokes the inner child awake and invites him to come out and play...

Jesus in the gospel pokes the inner child in us all as he describes the kingdom as a buried treasure that once was hidden for the ages only to be found.

In deed our entire life is a treasure hunt. We are all in search of the treasure that will stoke our joy and invite great laughter as we leap upward with excitement.

It makes me think of my little nephews...

My sister in law loves to go to garage sales. Thus, my nephews have grown up looking through other people's trash in hopes to find something of value.

The other day they were showing me what they discovered: a box of old screws, a tin can of oil for gears, and a old pipe for tobacco with its own carrying case.

They were excited and thrilled. They thought they hit the jackpot, treasure found and joy to be had.

For them each time they go to a garage sale they think of the treasure that is waiting to be discovered. They see joy, they see hope, they leap with anticipation as they venture forth.

But also, they never simply hide what they find. They insist on showing it off. They what other people to share in their joy, the joy of discovery. True treasure demands to be shown off and revealed to others; it can never be hidden away out of sight.

What if we were to embrace each day as my nephews embrace the garage sale? What if we saw it as a treasure hunt where each new face and each new encounter was going to lead us to that "X" that marks the spot?

This is the invitation of Christ. Each day, each face, each event brings us one day closer to the fullness of treasure, the pearl of great price himself.

Nothing else will do. Sell everything indeed. What else is there left but to get rid all the stuff and make room for the pearl that will never lose value.

When you find it, show it off. How do you show off to others the treasure you have in Christ? What sets you apart and what sets off Christ so that others may experience him in you?

May today be a treasure hunt where Christ leads us on our way one person, one moment at a time.

Words from Pope Benedict

"Love is an extraordinary force that leads people to opt for courageous and generous engagement in the field of justice and peace. It is a force that ha sits origin in God, Eternal love and absolute truth."

A force that leads people to opt for courageous and generous engagement in the field...


Is this not what the man in the gospel does....

Courageous and generously he engages in the field...the treasure hunt is on.