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A Priceless Discovery Awaits!
“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. Again, the kingdom of heaven
is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl
of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”
Matthew 13:44–46
In the first parable above, a person unexpectedly discovers a
treasure buried in a field. Imagine that you take a metal detector
with you while on a hike, simply curious about what might lie
beneath the soil. Suddenly, the detector gives a strong signal.
Expecting perhaps a rusted can or an old nail, you begin to dig.
But as your shovel strikes something solid, you uncover an old
chest. With growing anticipation, you lift it from the earth and
open it—only to find it brimming with ancient and priceless jewels,
gold and silver coins, and other precious items of immense
worth.
In the second parable, the merchant is actively searching for a
valuable pearl. He knows what he seeks and finally discovers one of
exceptional worth—one that eclipses all others. In both cases,
however, the response is the same: the man and the merchant each go
and sell all they possess to obtain the treasure they have
found.
These parables pose two fundamental questions for each of us:
Have I discovered the priceless treasure of the Kingdom of
Heaven?
If I have, am I willing to let go of everything else to
attain it?
Like the man who stumbles upon the buried treasure, many
people encounter God’s grace in surprising ways—through a moment of
prayer, a profound experience at Mass, an act of charity, or even
during suffering. Maybe those people were not actively seeking
divine treasure, yet in a moment of providence, the veil is lifted,
and the beauty of God’s Kingdom is revealed. Once they discover the
treasure, their souls realize that nothing else compares. From that
point on, they are moved to reorient their entire lives to possess
that treasure fully.
The path of the merchant, by contrast, is that of the soul who
longs for truth, beauty, and goodness, diligently seeking them out.
The one who searches might spend years studying, praying, yearning,
and pursuing what is of eternal value. And then—finally—the “pearl”
is found. Christ is discovered. The Gospel becomes clear. The
longing is fulfilled. Again, everything else is willingly
surrendered for the sake of that one Pearl of great price—Jesus
Christ.
In both parables, the decision to sell all to gain the treasure is
an easy choice. The discovery is so great that everything else the
person possesses pales in comparison. But how many people have
truly made such a discovery?
Many of us are like someone who learns of a buried treasure in a
field and, out of curiosity, drives out to look—but spends little
or no time searching. Or we are like a merchant who is informed of
a rare and valuable pearl for sale far from home.
Though interested, we note the length of the journey and abandon
the thought. Though we may have heard about the glory of God’s
Kingdom, unless we truly discover it, we will not see the value of
attaining it at any cost. We will only be willing to sell all we
have—to detach from every hindrance to grace, every sin, obsession,
and distraction—if we make the initial discovery of the priceless
nature of God’s Kingdom already present on earth and the fullness
of His Kingdom that awaits us in Heaven.
Reflect today on this invaluable treasure, waiting to be
discovered. Consider where you are on that journey of discovery.
Have you heard about the priceless treasure of coming to know,
love, and serve God? Have you read about the radical response made
by many saints? Have you discovered God for yourself, through
prayer and moments of profound enlightenment? If you have not, keep
searching—the Kingdom is near. If you have made this discovery,
then consider all your attachments, and willingly surrender them to
God, acknowledging that nothing is too much to offer to our loving
God in exchange for the untold riches of the life of grace to which
we are called.
My Lord and King, so often I seek the fleeting treasures
of this world, including the illusion of treasures found in sin.
Please open my eyes and help me to see You as You truly are—and to
recognize the priceless value of Your Kingdom in my life. As I
discover this Pearl of Great Price, grant me the courage and wisdom
I need to surrender all that You ask of me, so that I may fully
attain Your reign in my heart. Jesus, I trust in You.
Image: Parable of the Hidden Treasure, by John Richard
Clayton
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