Wednesday 30 July
Jeremiah 15:10, 16-21; Ps 59; Matthew 13:44-46
Treasure
The peasant discovers treasure in the field. The merchant finds a pearl of great value. Both went to great lengths to keep their treasures. What do you most treasure - family, health, friends, employment, wealth, environment? God does not say what we value is wrong. He asks us to concentrate on eternal values - “Seek ye first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33) Thomas a Kempis has this for us to reflect on - “The highest wisdom is to aim for the heavenly kingdom through indifference to the world” Would you agree?
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I believe we encounter God and see glimpses of 'the kingdom' when we participate fully and consciously in our human life. This requires us to be attentive, receptive, open and discerning. It demands of us a high degree of stewardship, but not ownership, of all that we have: our well-being, our work, our home, our family, our community, our environment. How we fulfil these roles reflects the love of God, and enables and empowers others to encounter divine love.
I think the indifference that Thomas a Kempis refers to is a lack of attachment. When we are unable or unwilling to surrender parish roles or leadership in groups or to move homes, we must look inwards, prayerfully, attentively and discern our motivation and our calling. Has our commitment to these roles or things ceased to reveal God and instead focus attention on ourselves? Whatever we do or own must always reveal the beauty of God.