“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.” – Matthew 13:43
Why does the man in today’s Gospel passage sell everything to buy the field of treasure? He does so “out of joy”. The precious pearl he has found gives him far greater joy than all his other possessions combined. It’s clear then that joy is the gift God is offering us when He invites us into His kingdom.
The good news is that the kingdom of God is not some far off reality. In fact, Jesus assures us that “the kingdom of God is among you” (Luke 17:21). God has established his kingdom in the very person of Jesus Christ, who has promised to be “with you always, until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
Why then do we often find ourselves lacking joy? Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta offers this insight:
When I see someone sad, I always think, she is refusing something to Jesus… Cheerfulness is a sign of a generous and mortified person who, forgetting all things, even herself, tries to please God in all she does for souls. Cheerfulness is often a cloak which hides a life of sacrifice, continual union with God, fervor and generosity. A person who has this gift of cheerfulness very often reaches a great height of perfection. For God loves a cheerful giver.
The key is to hold nothing back from God, even when it hurts. Indeed, Christ is the King, and His throne is the Cross. He did not die to remove suffering from our lives but to transform it into a means for our sanctification.
Thus, through service and sacrifice we come to experience the joy of the kingdom, and like the man in the parable, it’s worth every penny. What price wouldn’t you pay for unending joy?
Almighty God, in your goodness you offer us eternal life and unending joy through Your Son Jesus Christ. Draw us ever more deeply into the mystery of your grace, that with your angels and saints we may praise you forever and ever in the glory of your kingdom. Amen.
