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“The Hidden Treasure”
By James Tissot, 1886-94 |
Readings for Wednesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time [1]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [2]
Readings and Commentary: [3]
Reading 1: Jeremiah 15:10, 16-21
Woe to me, mother, that you gave me birth!
a man of strife and contention to all the land!
I neither borrow nor lend,
yet all curse me.
When I found your words, I devoured them;
they became my joy and the happiness of my heart,
Because I bore your name,
O Lord, God of hosts.
I did not sit celebrating
in the circle of merrymakers;
Under the weight of your hand I sat alone
because you filled me with indignation.
Why is my pain continuous,
my wound incurable, refusing to be healed?
You have indeed become for me a treacherous brook,
whose waters do not abide!
Thus the Lord answered me:
If you repent, so that I restore you,
in my presence you shall stand;
If you bring forth the precious without the vile,
you shall be my mouthpiece.
Then it shall be they who turn to you,
and you shall not turn to them;
And I will make you toward this people
a solid wall of brass.
Though they fight against you,
they shall not prevail,
For I am with you,
to deliver and rescue you, says the Lord.
I will free you from the hand of the wicked,
and rescue you from the grasp of the violent.
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Commentary on Jer 15:10, 16-21
This selection continues the prophet Jeremiah’s lament (his “Second Confession"). In these verses the prophet is having a crisis of faith about his own mission. He cries out that he wishes he had never been born (since he was called from the womb to his mission, Jeremiah 1:4-5). Because he constantly challenges the social traditions that are evolving, because he calls for the people to reform themselves and predicts God’s punishment if they do not, he is outcast (“I did not sit celebrating in the circle of merrymakers; Under the weight of your hand I sat alone because you filled me with indignation”).
In response to his lament, the Lord calls Jeremiah to continue his prophetic work. First, Jeremiah himself must repent from his own rebellious way, and return to ritual purity (“If you bring forth the precious without the vile, you shall be my mouthpiece”). The Lord pledges unfailing support for the prophet’s mission, and ultimate victory over God’s foes (“For I am with you, to deliver and rescue you, says the Lord.”).
CCC: Jer 15:15-18 2584
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 59:2-3, 4, 10-11, 17, 18
R. (17d) God is my refuge on the day of distress.
Rescue me from my enemies, O my God;
from my adversaries defend me.
Rescue me from evildoers;
from bloodthirsty men save me.
R. God is my refuge on the day of distress.
For behold, they lie in wait for my life;
mighty men come together against me,
Not for any offense or sin of mine, O Lord.
R. God is my refuge on the day of distress.
O my strength! for you I watch;
for you, O God, are my stronghold,
As for my God, may his mercy go before me;
may he show me the fall of my foes.
R. God is my refuge on the day of distress.
But I will sing of your strength
and revel at dawn in your mercy;
You have been my stronghold,
my refuge in the day of distress.
R. God is my refuge on the day of distress.
O my strength! your praise will I sing;
for you, O God, are my stronghold,
my merciful God!
R. God is my refuge on the day of distress.
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Commentary on Ps 59:2-3, 4, 10-11, 17, 18
Psalm 59 is a lament which alternates prayers for salvation with petitions to punish the enemies of the faithful. The plea for salvation in the psalm strikes a counterpoint to the lament of Jeremiah, who is isolated because of his actions in response to his call to serve the Lord.
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Gospel: Matthew 13:44-46
Jesus said to his disciples:
“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.”
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Commentary on Mt 13:44-46
The parable of the buried treasure and the parable of the pearl have the same point. One who understands the Kingdom of Heaven and sees its worth joyfully places obtaining that promise before all else. It is the primacy of Christ’s teaching that guides the disciple in all things. While these two parables have generally the same meaning, it is interesting to note they have some subtle differences. The parable of the hidden treasure which is found by accident refers to an abundance of gifts. The parable of the pearl sought out through diligence refers to the beauty of the Kingdom of God.
“Anyone who understands the Kingdom which Christ proposes realizes that it is worth staking everything to obtain it […]. The Kingdom of heaven is difficult to win. No one can be sure of achieving it, but the humble cry of the repentant man can open wide its doors” (St. Josemaria Escriva, Christ Is Passing By, 180). [4]
CCC: Mt 13:44-45 546
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Reflection:
The two parables of the Gospel seem, on the surface, to be saying the same thing. Indeed, they both speak of the inestimable value of finding the Kingdom of God (in this life and the next). They both speak of the great joy of the person who is able to acquire it. But there is a difference in the means by which this occurs.
In the analogy to the buried treasure, the seeker is said to have found the treasure. It is as if they are simply walking in a field and stumble upon it. In this instance, it would be like the casual Christian, the person who is a member of the faith community by accident of birth and upbringing who has followed the teaching of the Lord more out of habit than real desire to understand the Lord. One day this person has a revelation, and suddenly sees the value of the peace of Christ which is what the Kingdom of God provides in this life. With that revelation, and without much fanfare, that person’s life is transformed, and they are filled with joy at their discovery.
There are many such individuals, and they give hope to families who struggle to bring their children to faith in a world that devalues its teaching. As parents, we must never give up on encouraging (and praying for) our children. Our hope is they discover the treasure we cherish.
The other parable, the parable of the pearl, speaks of the merchant searching for pearls. That person’s encounter is not an accident, but rather the result of long effort. In this instance, it would be like the diligent seeker of truth who explores all manner of faith traditions, finally finding Christ and his wisdom. Like the accidental discovery of the buried treasure, this person sees the priceless nature of God’s love and salvation and dedicates themselves completely to the goal of attaining that end.
Regardless of our template, whether we stumble across buried treasure, or if we find the pearl of great price after long effort, we are told that finding that treasure requires single-minded dedication to the attainment of that which is freely offered. It is the lesson Christ offers, and one we rededicate ourselves to living.
Pax
[1] S.S. Commemoratio[2] The picture used is “The Hidden Treasure” By James Tissot, 1886-94.
[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible, with the exception of the psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This republication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
[4] The Navarre Bible, “Gospels and Acts,” Scepter Publishers, Princeton, NJ, © 2002, p. 136.
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