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Jesus said: 'The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it' (Matthew 13:44-46).

There is good news and good work in this text.

The good news is the promise that there is treasure in the field. It is the promise that this treasure is so good that it’s worth losing everything and selling everything to find it. The treasure is a gift from God and it is good.

The good work is that we need to learn to be treasure hunters. Sometimes Christians think we have the treasure already and that it’s simply up to us to share it with others. But the good work, the challenge that Jesus puts to us is that even while we have the treasure and we ourselves are treasured by God, we are also treasure seekers and if we look hard enough, we are bound to find this treasure in the most unexpected of places.

Ours is a God who loves all and is open to all. Ours is a God who created a good creation. The kingdom of God isn't just found in the Church, but we get to look for that treasure in surprising places and with surprising people.

As we know from Jesus' life and other teachings, God treasures those who the world has discarded. As treasure seekers, we need to look in unusual places because God’s Spirit calls us to look, to be open, to listen and to love. It is in this exchange with another, perhaps with someone very different from you, perhaps in a community that is very different from your own, in them you will hear the whisper of the Spirit and find the treasure there.

We discover the treasure of God’s kingdom within us, in the inner life of prayer, contemplation, and music; and we discover the treasure of God’s kingdom among us, in solidarity with one another and with those whom the world has discarded. Perhaps that treasure is the reconciliation between enemies; perhaps that treasure is hearing the Spirit speaking through another; perhaps that treasure is learning with others that you are a treasure of God, created good in God’s image.

What an amazing thought—that the Spirit of God is working in you. Have you ever thought of how powerful that is?! God working in you, as the apostle Paul says, for you to be stars that shine brightly in a dark world. You are that treasure and you are treasure seekers. As you go from this place, what do you do when you find the treasure? You don’t hoard it, you don’t keep it for yourself. You call your friends and your enemies and you share it, you throw a party, a feast! You are blessed and you are sent out as a blessing!

Today is the feast of St Catherine of Siena. She famously said, 'Be whom God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.' So set the world on fire with God’s love and with God’s peace.

Go, and be treasures and treasure seekers in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

-Rosalee

P.S. Rosalee recently accepted the post of Principal at Redcliffe College! Read/watch a bit about it here.

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