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Manila Bulletin

Opinion

Out of joy

Opinion

Out of joy

By Manila Bulletin

REFLECTIONS TODAY

The parables of the Buried Treasure and that of the Pearl of Great Price give us a similar lesson: the Kingdom of heaven is a treasure beyond price; we must renounce all that may hinder us from possessing it.

The Kingdom of heaven, as Jesus tells us, is the reign of God in our midst. We allow God to inspire and direct our lives, we live a life of communion with him, because we believe that God is the ultimate meaning of our existence. We have been created by God for himself, and our hearts will be restless and empty if, by our own free will, we choose to shut off God from our life.

There are many things that may hinder us from letting God be at the center of our lives. There is the human tendency to be “a God unto oneself,” that is, to be answerable to no one but to one’s self. There are also the “treasures and attractions” of the world: money, power, pleasures. Many people are drawn to them because they easily satisfy the natural and physical cravings of human beings.

Earthly treasures which we call “Mammon” can become an end to themselves. Mammon can replace the true God in our hearts. It is a false god because it enslaves the human heart, and because it is ephemeral and cannot give lasting happiness.

What are the “treasures” that you hold dear in your life? Are they also “heavenly treasures”?

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.”

Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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REFLECTIONS 366 Days with the Lord

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