Commit, Stuggle, and be Happy! (a reflection on Matthew 13:44-46)

photo taken from this website

Originally delivered in Filipino as a homily on the occasion of the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time at the chapel of Barangay South Cembo and National Shrine of Our lady of Guadalupe, Makati City.

In our gospel for today, Jesus once again speaks to us in parables about the kingdom of God. For the past two Sundays, Jesus used images and stories in order to illustrate the kingdom of God through the parables of the sower and the weeds among the wheat. This time, he once again uses two familiar images to his audience: the treasure buried in the field and the pearl of great price in the sea.

Perhaps, we ask ourselves two questions: Why did Jesus use these images of treasure in the field and pearl in the sea? And how do these images illuminate the meaning of what Jesus calls the kingdom of God?

To begin with, let us look into the meaning of the term "Kingdom of God." As the central theme of Jesus’ ministry in the gospels, a large percentage of his individual sayings, his most eloquent parables, and the purpose of the healing and teaching ministry he undertook revolves around what he calls the "kingdom of God." The kingdom referred to by Jesus should neither be understood in a spatial sense nor as a state of bliss constructed by human means. Rather, it refers to God’s active reign or rule, a concrete living reality, where God would draw near to us through divine mercy and justice – in a situation where hostility and infidelity would cease. Indeed, God would come to establish a kingdom, not only to Israel but over all the earth – not as some heavenly “Camelot” but as God’s reigning in power so that all could know and experience His might. On our side of the coin, we have to take part in promoting and building such kingdom by changing our old selfish ways and choosing to put God at the center of our lives - as our highest and most important priority in life.

Returning to the two parables, we can actually find three inter-related themes within them: that of commiting to be part of God's kingdom, engaging in a struggle in placing God at the center of our lives, and taking delight in being part of this reign in the here-and-now.

Commit. When one commits oneself to something, one must give totally, even at the point of sacrifice, in order to make such commitment possible. Commitment though is not simply giving a mere minimum, but a total sacrifice for the good of the other. I like to use the Filipino term pagtataya because it closely captures the meaning of commitment. Kapag nagtataya ka, kailangan mong mag-bigay at mag-sakripisyo, kahit minsan ay masakit na. Just like a mother waking up early to prepare breakfast for his family, or a father working overtime to bring something to the family table, or students burning the midnight oil to do well in school, one gives more without counting the cost. Such is what being part of God's kingdom entails: commitment is not simply contribution but self-donation to what is good, just, and true. 

Struggle. Perhaps one wonders why the man who found the treasure in the field did not simply get the treasure immediately and why he had to sell his possessions to buy such lot, without any guarantee that such lot will be bought by anyone way ahead of him? Or why the merchant in search for fine pearls would sell everything he has for just one pearl? Going back to the parable, committing oneself to the kingdom of God is both a risk and a struggle. Commitment though is not an easy thing - it's a daily struggle that one has to bear with. At times, those who live for what is good, just, and true, are the ones who are afflicted with such suffering and persecution. Moreover, there will be days when one can commit mistakes or cannot just "give more." Struggling and learning from experience to live to what is good, just, and true is part of the process, while giving up on commitment all together is another thing.

Be Happy! This is the grace that we ask as we continue this celebration: that as we commit ourselves in living the values of the kingdom and as we struggle in living it in our daily lives, we take joy in such invaluable treasure. The joy in attaining this "treasure in the field" and the "pearl of great price" that we attain as part of the kingdom of God is not at the same level of pleasure that material possessions may bring. Putting God at the center of our lives brings a fulfillment and delight that goes beyond material satisfaction, for it brings a new perspective and meaning unto our own lives. It is said that we attain such happiness not necessarily at the end of the day, but when we take delight in living out such commitment and risk for the kingdom of God. The truly happy person is the one who truly recognizes God as the highest and most important priority in life.

And so, as we continue with this mass, we remind ourselves of Jesus' invitation to take part in his kingdom - to commit even if it hurts, to struggle even if it's hard, and to take delight in having God at the center of our lives. 

deo gratias.