PASTOR’S WEEKLY MESSAGE 17
“He sells everything he owns and buys it”
In life, we are all aiming for happiness. But, do we know where to find that happiness? Many of us go through life running here, rushing there, doing this and that, not knowing where or how to find this precious thing we are targeting: happiness. Some people look for it in money, yet they do not feel much happier. Others think that notoriety among people will bring happiness. They do all sorts of things to be praised by onlookers, but they, too, are disappointed. Others look for it in alcohol, drugs, pornography, Internet, etc., but they don’t get the lasting happiness they are seeking.
If Jesus were to say to you, today: “Ask what you would like me to give you,” what would your response be? Just think for a moment…what would you want Him to give you so that you may be happy? In the first reading today, we have heard God speaking those very words to the young King Solomon. And what was his remark? “Give your servant a heart to understand how to discern between good and evil.” The Lord was pleased with his request and said to him: “I give you a heart wise and shrewd as none before you has had, and none will have after you.”
Solomon asked for wisdom. He did not ask for long life, or riches, or success over enemies. No, he asked God for what is important and what can bring true happiness. Wisdom is to know how to live life. Wisdom does not come, necessarily, from much learning in school; one with many diplomas is not always wise. It is not in the ability to speak well and be heard or revered by people. It does not even always come with age. It can be found in older people, but also in younger ones, as young as King Solomon.
Wisdom is that gift from God which helps me to put first things first in my life. It shows me what is most important and what is less important. It gives the right direction to my life. It enables me to aim for the right things—the things that are of true value. And what is this? The gospel of today answers this question. The man we meet in today’s gospel was a wise man. He knew how to choose between not only the good and the bad, but even between the good and the best. It is the simple story of someone who found a treasure hidden in a field. He is so happy. He makes up his mind. He sees the value of what he has found. “He hides it again, goes off happy, sells everything he owns and buys the field.” He sells everything! Everything is gone, but he has the field and the treasure there. He was a wise man and now he is a happy man.
What is the treasure that is so precious that we should sell everything in order to get it? Jesus calls it “the Kingdom of Heaven,” in other words God’s friendship. This is what we should treasure more than anything else, even the tangible things that are most precious to us. This is what we should put before and above all things. Putting God’s friendship first in our life may mean that sometimes, I will have to sacrifice, or let go of other things…just as the man in Jesus’ story did. There might be something we need to take out of our lives so that the friendship between Him and us may grow. Things that can not be side-by-side in my life with God. Look at your life and figure out those things and root them out. Nothing should come between God and me. Nothing should be placed before God. Not only should we be ready to give up certain things to remain friends with God, but we should be happy to do so. He is happy to have found the treasure, yes, and happy also to give everything away in order to get that treasure.
This week make a list of all the things that are precious to you. Alongside each of those things you value, reflect on God’s friendship in context to the listed item and ask yourself what really comes first in your life.