How often does this kind of thought enter your mind and heart: "I wish I had ....(whatever)? From today’s readings we have much that can help us understand how we might fill in that blank. The wisest person was Solomon ("and after you there will come no one to equal you [I Kings 3:12]) who, when asked by God to request something of him, responded "Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people (remember, he was to succeed his father, King David) and to distinguish right from wrong." How many of us would have put wisdom at the head of our list of wants? Perhaps at this moment in our national economic struggle and our days of discernment prior to casting a November vote, we should be making a Solomon-like response.
The gospel today speaks to us about finding a treasure. Jesus offers several descriptions of treasures that he likens to the kingdom of God. He is teaching his listeners that the greatest treasure we can seek and find is the kingdom of God ... not in some after-life but in our very midst. He tells the hearers that he will help them (and us) find it because it is God’s plan for the world, for you and me. "Seek (it) and you will find (it)" Mt: 7:7.
The genuine "proof in the pudding" is what we find in Matthew’s account of Jesus’ great teaching moment on the mountain when he said, "Where you treasure is, there also will you heart be" Mt 6:21.
When frustrations and disappointment take true joy from your heart, call to mind what treasures have taken over your heart. Is it the wisdom you truly need? And, lastly, recall Paul’s words in the second reading, "... all things work for good for those who love God."
