Sunday Sermon:  Heavenly Kingdom Our Hidden Treasure

 THE HIDDEN TREASURE

Treasure is the most valuable thing in people’s life. One man’s treasure may not be another person’s treasure. What makes a thing treasonable is the value one places on it. In 1 Kings 3:5-12 king Solomon was given an open cheque instead of choosing wealth or power he decided to choose Wisdom. Today is is known as the wisest king in Israel. As long as Solomon is concerned Wisdom is the most treasure-able in life. Child of God, what is the most treasure-able thing in your life?

In the gospel of Matthew 13:44-52 our Lord Jesus Christ gave three parables to prove to the world that the Kingdom of heaven is the most treasure-able thing on earth.  According to him, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” Heaven is indeed a hidden treasure!

Most people do not know that the best investment anyone can have while on earth is heavenly investment. People spend their money, their time and even their energy on earthly treasures and investments. Yet, when they die, they are not buried with any of those investments.

In the gospel of Matthew 6:19-21 our Lord Jesus Christ told His followers,  “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” If all your treasures are stored here on earth, that means you are an earthly citizen but if most of your treasures are stored in heaven, it means you a heavenly citizen. By their fruits we shall know them.

The second parable which our Lord Jesus used to describe the kingdom of heaven is the parable of a merchant. According to him, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” Child of God, if you have not made any sacrifice for heaven, then you have not started! Our family members are the most important people in our lives yet, Jesus told his followers, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26) Just like the merchant who sold everything he has in order to acquire his treasure, Child of God, you must be ready make the necessary sacrifices as long as heaven is concerned.

The third Kingdom parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a net which was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind; when it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into vessels but threw away the bad. So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous, and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” All that glitters is not gold. Many are called but few are chosen! If you want to be valuable in the sight of God then you must live righteously! Just as our Lord Jesus Christ declares, “Every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

Child of God, you destined for heaven and for God’s glory. As St. Paul rightly declares in Romans 8:28-30 as you make heaven your ultimate treasure, all things will work together for your good! As God has predestined you for greatness, He has also called justified you.  Through Justification you will be glorified in Jesus name – Amen!

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 119:57 and 72.76-77.127-128.129-130 (R. 97a)

1. O Lord, how I love your law.

I have said, “O Lord, my portion

is to obey your words.”

The law from your mouth means more to me

than large quantities of silver and gold. R.

Let your merciful love console me

by your promise to your servant.

Show me compassion, that I may live,

for your law is my delight. R.

That is why I love your commands

more than finest gold,

why I rule my life by your precepts,

and hate false ways. R.

Your decrees are wonderful indeed;

therefore my soul obeys them.

The unfolding of your word gives light,

and understanding to the simple. R.

SECOND READING           Romans 8:28-30

“He predestined us to be conformed to the image of his Son.’’

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans

Brethren: We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.