Scripture:
Exodus 34:29-35
Matthew 13:44-46
Reflection:
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.” These words of Jesus remind me of my first experience on a “treasure hunt.”
Fr. Blaise, C.P., my student director, first taught me how to hunt for treasure when I was a college student in Louisville. “Terry, take this metal detector to the front yard of the monastery and when it beeps, dig up whatever is under the detector. Then, bring it to me if it looks like it’s worth anything.” I never found anything but I can imagine the joy I would have felt if there were anything but old bottle caps and nails in the front yard!
Yesterday I found a treasure in the heart of a 91 year old man sitting next to me at our meeting of the Louisville Compassionate ElderCounsel. “Tom” is an elder in our Louisville community who has practiced compassion all his life. He walked with Dr. Martin Luther King and still is walking today for justice, peace and compassion in our community. His heart is generous and his words are gentle with kindness but strong for justice. Tom’s kind heart reminds me to look within my own heart and the hearts of others for the Kingdom of God.
The kindness within is the treasure I seek, truly the Kingdom of heaven. Today I rejoice in this gift worthy of everything I possess.
Terry McDevitt, Ph.D. is a member of the Passionist Family in Louisville, Kentucky