The Images of the Kingdom of God

07-19-2020Weekly Reflection

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price are similar. While the Parable of the Dragnet on the other hand is similar to last Sunday’s parable of the Weeds and the Wheat. The first reading recalls to us the events about the dream of King Solomon, where the Lord asked the young King what he wants. King Solomon’s answer reveals so much of His character, what is most import for him, a wise and understanding heart. This he asked, so that he can serve the Lord well and the people of his kingdom. This Wisdom is the treasure of King Solomon’s heart, the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price. In the same line, we are also asked what is of most value to us, what is the priority of our heart? What do we really want in life, what will give meaning to our life? Solomon could have asked for long life, power and riches beyond compare, because he did not ask for these, the Lord honors him for not allowing his heart to desire such worthless things. Like Solomon, we too can ask the Lord for Wisdom. If we are honest and sincere in our request, the Lord will surely not fail us. Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Mt. 7:7) The Lord wants us also to find our hidden treasure and our pearl of great price.

The Gospel tells us that there is more to just gaining the hidden treasure and priceless pearl. There is a need to look for it, sell everything and buy the land where the hidden treasure is buried, or buy the pearl of great price. It is not that we can buy wisdom, but we must be willing to let go of everything for the sake of The Kingdom. We must be willing to do anything, give up everything or be detached from everything and everyone to gain the pearl of great price. Giving up everything and everyone in order to free our heart to accept the Kingdom of God. In a sense, it means, that God must come first in our life, and His Kingdom is our highest priority. Willingly and joyfully we give up everything for His Kingdom, because it is worth more than anything, we could ever sacrifice to gain it.

The parable of the dragnet brings to our attention two kinds of possessions, the “worthwhile” and the “worthless.” The Gospel explains that God is not concerned about the treasure we collect in our dragnets throughout our life. But rather, what He will collect at the end of time, He is telling us that there will be a final reckoning. He will collect the worthy, worthwhile, and abandon the worthless. He wants to fill us with His treasures, with His abundance, but this depends on whether we accept His gift, give a space for it in our heart by emptying ourselves with the worthless, useless things in our life. If you find your delight in the Lord, He will grant you your heart’s desire.” (Ps. 37:4)

When we chose the treasures of the Kingdom, we are choosing what God has readied for those who love Him, to fill our heart with endless joy in His Kingdom. The 2nd reading teaches us that those who love Him, St. Paul says, our God is “making all things work together for the good.” The letter to the Romans reveals to us God’s own plan, for those who are predestined, called and justified. “Those He predestined He likewise called; those He called He also justified; and those He justified He in turn glorified. (Rom. 8:20) Being “Glorified” means, that we have found nothing and no one greater that God, and more precious than to be glorified in His Kingdom.