Treasure Map 19th Sunday OT
The past couple of weeks, I have been working with
a family in crisis. They are in a crisis of family, health and finances. In
this time, they reach to the one they were taught to turn to when in trouble.
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Provide yourselves with money bags that do not wear out with the inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”
It is the treasure God has shown to our fathers and
brought to us by Jesus’ promise of the Kingdom of Heaven. It is the greatest
treasure of all. It is meant to be shared.
The treasure is God loves each and every one of us.
We have to tell others about this treasure. Tell others that God loves them. Tell
everyone how to find this treasure, give them the map.
To get the map, know the creator of the map. We do this through the Gospel; the Good News
of Jesus Christ. It proclaims that Jesus Christ is the living son of God, who
came, was crucified for our sins, and rose from the dead.
The map is written in faith. Faith is the
realization of what is hoped for and evident of things not seem.
Most who call themselves Christian will say yes, we
have the map. We know Jesus, we have faith. But, they forget important parts of
using a map.
Not everyone who calls themselves an expert can
read the map. You need someone who was given instructions. You need the
faithful steward of Christ, the Church. The faithful steward that knows the
masters will. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to set the path. At the Last Supper,
He gave His light to the apostles to see the way. In this light, they see the
path and set the landmarks that lead the faithful to the treasure.
The path is found in prayer. The landmarks are the
sacraments.
Over the centuries, the map has been befuddled and
complicated. For this reason, many don’t
realize the treasure of God’s love is for us all. Many have lost the path and
fail to find the landmarks. It’s easy to do.
This week, I went to Camden Ark to visit a new customer
at defense contractor facility that is about 25 square miles. I had the latest GPS map. When I got to Camden,
the GPS told me to go an additional 20 miles. After a little while, I seemed to be getting
farther from my destination. So I stopped and called. I learned that due to national security, the government
jams GPS systems. With the best of intentions, they had befuddled and complicated
my map.
My customer said you drove right by; retrace your
steps to the landmark of a certain sign. My destination was under that sign.
That was easier said than done. I got more lost. After wandering in the wilderness of the Arkansas
Piney woods for 15 minutes, I found someone to ask directions. He said, “go
down here a bit, when you cross the railroad tracks take a right at the stop
sign, then real quick, take another right, follow that road to a fancy fence.
Follow the fancy fence and it will take you to the main road.” I could not find
any of these landmarks.
But, I found a security officer, someone who knew
the right path and whose job was to give me the right directions. Under good guidance, I found my way. I found
the landmarks given to me, the fancy fence and that certain sign. I found what
I was looking for.
Isn’t that the story of the journey of faith? We
are so lucky to have the Church that can read the map, shows us the path in our
prayers, and to give us true landmarks in the sacraments.
Jesus tells us he put his faithful steward to stay prudent
to His wishes to wait for his arrival. Jesus’ parable tells us to light our
lamps and stay vigilant. We do this by following the map, staying on the path
of prayer, being mindful and true to the landmarks of the sacraments.
God has given us the map to his love. God’s love is
always there. God loves each and every one of us.
The treasure of heaven is not found in our
perfection but in God’s goodness. This treasure is not found in the world but
in God’s mercy. Tell others about this treasure, tell them that God
loves them. We have to tell others how to find this treasure.
God used Abraham, one man as good as dead to
produce descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and countless as the
sands on the seashore. How much can God use our faith to share his love? Reach
out in love to those in crisis. God loves us all. It is the greatest treasure and
meant to be shared.
Y’all be good, y’all be holy, preach the gospel by
the way you live and love. Amen.
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