What would you do to obtain a great treasure? What are we willing to do for the sake of the Kingdom of God? William Manaker, SJ, reflects on the value of the Kingdom of God through the parable of the treasure in the field. Based on the readings for Sunday, July 30, 2023.
How much do you want God’s kingdom?
Hi, my name is William Manaker, and this is my one-minute reflection.
If we want something, we work for it. I saw this as a teacher and a coach—if a student really wanted to bring up their grade, or if a runner on the track team wanted to break a certain time, they put in extra effort to achieve their goal. Those who didn’t value grades or personal bests, didn’t work to improve them.
Today’s parables of the treasure buried in the field and the pearl of great price challenge us to consider how we value God’s kingdom. If we desire the kingdom of heaven, Jesus implies, then we’re willing to give anything to obtain it. That’s what he did—he gave his whole life so that we could enter the kingdom.
Today, let’s ask ourselves, honestly, how much we want the kingdom of heaven. And if we lack desire, then let’s ask God to show us just what we’re missing.
