THROUGH UNTRUE

When did you last give up a cherished possession in exchange for something more valuable? It is difficult to let go of items that have been with you for some time. You think they are so important you cannot live without them. In today's gospel reading, Jesus shares a parable about the kingdom of heaven, likening it to a treasure hidden in a field. When a man discovers the treasure, he joyfully sells all he owns to acquire that field. Another parable tells of a merchant seeking fine pearls. When he finds one of great value, he sells all his property to buy it (Matthew 13:44-46). These stories illustrate that finding a truly precious treasure makes it easier for us to give up those we previously considered valuable. The trouble is, we are not careful in determining what holds genuine value and meaning in our lives. We often love the wrong things. J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy features Sméagol, a hobbit-like creature who stumbled upon a magical ring that granted him immense power. He became so obsessed with keeping the ring that it transformed him into a twisted and tormented creature named Gollum. The ring, which he affectionately referred to as "my precious," became his curse. Choosing the treasure to which we dedicate our time and effort is of utmost importance. Like Gollum, we can become fixated on things that ultimately enslave us. For instance, in today's fast-paced and materialistic world, many of us are ensnared in a web of shallow and fleeting pleasures that cloud our judgment, lead us astray, and hinder our pursuit of lasting fulfillment and genuine happiness. Complicating matters further, our contemporary culture drives us to prioritize wealth, fame, and power as the ultimate objectives, downplaying the significance of meaningful relationships, peace of mind, spirituality, and health. Worse, consumerism ceaselessly tempts us with addictive delights and short-lived satisfaction through drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, social networking, electronic gadgets, and cinematic distractions. These sap the energy we need for more meaningful pursuits. To overcome the allure of superficial values and pleasures that clutter our lives, we must reassess our priorities. We can begin by asking ourselves, "What is it that I cannot live without? How can I avoid the guilt, regret, shame, and sense of emptiness that accompany a life of indulgence? What brings me genuine happiness? " Happiness does not happen to us; we make it happen by making the right choices in life. Very often, the choices we face are not between good and evil, but between good and better, or between better and best. St. Jerome wrote: "Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until your good is better, and your better best." We must break the habit of settling for what is merely "good enough." Leading a life dedicated to achieving what is better or best is undoubtedly challenging, but the rewards are immeasurable and enduring. It is futile to sideline the eternal in pursuit of perishable things, whose promise of fulfillment is often a blatant lie. St. Paul has warned us about the danger of trading God for a lie or worshiping creaturely comforts instead of the One who created them all (Romans 1:22-23). As today's gospel reading emphasizes, choosing God as our most valuable treasure is the wisest decision we can ever make. Indeed, if God is all we have, we shall realize that God is all we truly need.