What do you treasure?

The story is told about a mother who told her little girl: “No matter what happens, hold on tight to my skirt so that you won’t get lost in this crowded mall.” The little girl dutifully complied as she held on and held on tight all throughout. Two hours later, there was an announcement coming from the mall’s public address system: “Calling on the parents or guardians of a lost little girl who would not let go of a red skirt in her hands!”

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In today’s Gospel (Mt. 13, 44-52), Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to that of finding (a buried treasure), searching (a pearl of great value), and collecting (fish).  All these remind us about what we want in life, and what we really value in life. What do you treasure in life? Where is your heart?  What are you tenaciously holding on to?  What can you not let go?

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These remind me, too, of a story about a little girl who would not part with a fake pearl which she treasured so much, such that even her beloved father could not persuade her to let go of it. Finally, one night, in tears, she finally handed the fake pearl, out of love for her father, whereupon, her father placed on her hands a genuine precious pearl. Often, the better never comes because we cannot let go of that which we think is good, or that which we think is good enough.

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When will we finally hand over to the Father our “fake treasures”? I hope not when time has run out on us, or not when we are “forced to good” already. May the Holy Spirit give us the grace to let go and let God now, not when we are already sick, or imprisoned, shamed, or disabled. The bottom line is that the Kingdom of God must be our number one priority and the first choice in our life and loves.

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If we treasure the Kingdom of God over earthly treasures, then we would not have this mess about the Disbursement Acceleration Program and the Priority Development Assistance Fund and what have you that have greatly affected so many of our suffering people.

Because of a greedy few, a lot of our people don’t have much or have nothing even to chew.  The culprits may elude the dragnet of the law, but not the final judgment of Him who sees everything, and who knows.

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If I may speak yet about my dog Bruno, I find it amazing that when I give him a big bone or a chunk of meat, he would pick it up and go away to hide it somewhere, leaving everything and everyone behind to bury his treasure. And I found out too that he would come back for it again making sure that it is safe.

May we, too, learn to take care of our God-given treasures, protect them, and yes, really, treasure them.

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When we were young, much of summer was spent going around, looking for fruits especially in the numerous fruit trees in Bani Elementary School. Every time we found fruits that were not yet ripe for eating, we would usually hide them. We knew how to make them “invisible” by rearranging the leaves and branches—so we thought we knew, until we found out some days later that we have been outsmarted by the other kids in town. If you think you are smart, sooner or later, you will find out that there are other people smarter than you.

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For those who are involved in finding, searching and collecting, think about this: “Money can be earned; stupid quarrels can be resolved; time and presence to a loved one is irreplaceable; and the loss of your soul is your greatest failure.”

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Too bad that we don’t hear much about real people who live quality lives in our world where all that sells most of the time are the lives of politicians and show-biz figures. There are people around us who live simple, meaningful and significant lives. If you meet one of them or if you are one of them, please hold on to such lifestyle and be consoled with this message from the Lord today: “Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.”

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We join our Iglesia ni Cristo brethren in praising and thanking God in their centennial celebration. To God be the glory! We also are one with our Muslim brothers and sisters in gratitude to Allah in their celebration of Eid’l Fitr.

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In the State of the Nation Address of President Aquino tomorrow, can we skip the part where the attendees show off their fashionable attires and jewelry, as if flaunting their (?) money before our people? Who cares who wears what in a nation with so many poor and deprived?

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Sharing with you this consoling message: “God knows what your silent heart whispers; He may not give it to you now, but someday, when you least expect it, things will happen in the best possible way.”

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, help me to search, find and hold on to that treasure which this world cannot give nor take away. Amen.