Let’s assume that Jesus is the treasure in Matthew’s gospel (Matthew 13: 44-52) that we’ve accidentally discovered in the field So we hurry out to raise the money to buy this invaluable field. Not wanting anyone to find our treasure we would, consistent with the script, hide him in the field.
Ok, now let’s take this reading from a different perspective. Suppose that we are the treasure in the field. I know, I know, we are rather shy about calling ourselves a treasure. After all our initial spiritual self- image was lacking. We were taught that we were born with a stain on our souls and man was depicted as a sinful character, unworthy of salvation.. So what possible value would there be for the like of us, as characterized in some of the readings of the Old Testament and derivative religious teachings? Unless God sees some unknown value in us than why would he bother?
Thankfully on our later spiritual journey we have come to know that we are the hidden treasure not lost to God but somehow still incapable of getting are arms around how much we are loved by Him. Why? The beautiful imagery of the Gospel reveals that human beings, despite how lost we may feel, are precious to God and never lost to Him. The whole purpose of God’s incarnation in man was to show us His face, His glory and his love and to lead us out of our lostness and back to the Him from whom we came.
In every age, in every generation, God seeks people who will follow Him and be willing to function as His light in the world so that others might be released from their lostness and brought back to Him. In this turbulent world of Covid 19 confinement, and racial intolerance, we tend to withdraw from the world and hide where it is safe. When is it safe to come out; when is it time to take a stance and strive for tolerance and racial justice. We know we are loved but do we really have the conviction of that love so that we may follow His will without being afraid? When we hide from each other and stay silent, aren’t we hiding our light from God. Yes, our life is hidden in Christ, but it is still a life lived out here on earth. We still are required to live fully to face our mortal tribulations. As children of God, we have inherited Christ’s legacy, we are in the world nut not of the world. St. Paul writes there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28.
Jesus did not come into the world for those who did not fit the denominational label adapted by his followers. He bought them all and paid dearly for them. John writes in 1John 2:2. He Himself is the atonement for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. In other words, the treasure in the field, are all those lost in the world. They are His by right. He bought them all! He gave His life for all. What price are we willing to pay?
Ok, now let’s take this reading from a different perspective. Suppose that we are the treasure in the field. I know, I know, we are rather shy about calling ourselves a treasure. After all our initial spiritual self- image was lacking. We were taught that we were born with a stain on our souls and man was depicted as a sinful character, unworthy of salvation.. So what possible value would there be for the like of us, as characterized in some of the readings of the Old Testament and derivative religious teachings? Unless God sees some unknown value in us than why would he bother?
Thankfully on our later spiritual journey we have come to know that we are the hidden treasure not lost to God but somehow still incapable of getting are arms around how much we are loved by Him. Why? The beautiful imagery of the Gospel reveals that human beings, despite how lost we may feel, are precious to God and never lost to Him. The whole purpose of God’s incarnation in man was to show us His face, His glory and his love and to lead us out of our lostness and back to the Him from whom we came.
In every age, in every generation, God seeks people who will follow Him and be willing to function as His light in the world so that others might be released from their lostness and brought back to Him. In this turbulent world of Covid 19 confinement, and racial intolerance, we tend to withdraw from the world and hide where it is safe. When is it safe to come out; when is it time to take a stance and strive for tolerance and racial justice. We know we are loved but do we really have the conviction of that love so that we may follow His will without being afraid? When we hide from each other and stay silent, aren’t we hiding our light from God. Yes, our life is hidden in Christ, but it is still a life lived out here on earth. We still are required to live fully to face our mortal tribulations. As children of God, we have inherited Christ’s legacy, we are in the world nut not of the world. St. Paul writes there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28.
Jesus did not come into the world for those who did not fit the denominational label adapted by his followers. He bought them all and paid dearly for them. John writes in 1John 2:2. He Himself is the atonement for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. In other words, the treasure in the field, are all those lost in the world. They are His by right. He bought them all! He gave His life for all. What price are we willing to pay?
Little boy lost
In search
Of little boy found
You go on wondering, wandering
Stumbling, tumbling
'round. . . 'round.
When will you find
What's on the tip of your mind
Mmm...why are you blind
To all you ever were
Never were
Really are
Nearly are
Little boy false
In search
Of little boy true
Will you be ever done
Traveling
Always unraveling
You, . . you.
Running away
Could leave you farther astray
And as for fishing in streams
For pieces of dreams
Those pieces will never fit
What is the sense of it
Little boy blue
Don't let your little sheep roam
It's time come blow your horn
Meet them on
Look and see
Can you be far from home...
Pieces of Dreams
(Marilyn and Arthur Bergman and Michel LeGrand
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