This week's readings Week of July 28 - Aug. 3 Sunday, July 28, 2002 Reading I: 1 Kgs 3:5, 7-12 Reading II: Rom 8:28-30 Gospel: Mt 13:44-52 Monday, July 29, 2002 Reading I: Jer 13:1-11 Gospel: Jn 11:19-27 Tuesday, July 30, 2002 Reading I: Jer 14:17-22 Gospel: Mt 13:36-43 Wednesday, July 31, 2002 Reading I: Jer 15:10, 16-2 Gospel: Mt 13:44-46 Thursday, Aug. 1, 2002 Reading I: Jer 18:1-6 Gospel: Mt 13:47-53 Friday, Aug. 2, 2002 Reading I: Jer 26:1-9 Gospel: Mt 13:54-58 Saturday, Aug. 3, 2002 Reading I: Jer 26:11-16, 24 Gospel: Mt 14:1-12 Pope's Prayer Intentions July General Intention That artists in all media may help us enter the mystery of God: That artists may do all they can to help people rediscover the signs of God's providential love in creation. July Mission Intention That India's Christians may publicly live out their faith: That India's Christians may not be prevented from publicly professing their faith and freely announcing the Gospel.

Buried treasure:
The Cross marks the spot

		Word of God  Word of Life  Fr. John G. Stillmank

Pirates seem to have gone out of style these days, but we all recognize the "Treasure Island" character of a one-eyed bandit of the seas with a battered map in hand, a cutlass hanging from his belt, and his faithful parrot on the shoulder. Buried treasure is his quest, and the X on the map his goal.

Intrigue, secrecy, violence, and murder are often part of these kinds of stories. Mistrust of one's fellow pirates, greed for the gold, the salty air, and south sea islands complete the picture.

"No wealth of the world can match the Lord's decrees nor the revelation of his words. Those who recognize the word of the Lord as most important have found a treasure indeed."

Jesus is a pirate of sorts, isn't he? Only he doesn't steal and murder - instead, he gives his treasure freely and gives life abundantly. And he doesn't bury the treasure in a location unknown and mark it cryptically on a map. No, the treasure of Jesus is right where we can find it. The Gospel is his two-edged sword, the Church is the map which shows the way, and the Cross marks the spot.

In the Old Testament we read of Solomon who asked the Lord for the gift of wisdom. Any treasure he might have desired, it seems, the Lord was prepared to give him. Not for a long life for himself, nor for riches, nor for the life of his enemies, but for the wisdom to guide and care for God's people was what Solomon requested.

Readings for 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (July 28) 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12 Psalm 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130 Romans 8:28-30 Matthew 13:44-52

"An understanding heart" was the treasure Solomon sought, and the Lord freely granted it to him.

The psalms hint at what should be our true treasure. "Lord, I love your command more than gold, however fine." No wealth of the world can match the Lord's decrees nor the revelation of his words. Those who recognize the word of the Lord as most important have found a treasure indeed.

Saint Paul reminds us that we "who love God, who are called according to his purpose" - who are justified and glorified by the Lord - are really the world's treasure. We are conformed to the image of God's only Son, brothers and sisters of Jesus.

We it is who are charged with bringing the Gospel sword to bear against the world, to show others the map of the Church, and to lead them to the Cross which marks the treasure of Jesus.

Jesus' great examples of treasure buried in a field, a pearl of great price, and a net in the sea which draws in treasure and trash show us what the kingdom of God is like.

Who would not sell all he owns for a buried treasure of unimaginable value? Who would not trade all she owns for a matchless pearl? Who would not sort the good from the bad in the fisherman's net, keeping what is good and throwing away what is bad?

So are we to do. The kingdom of heaven is that treasure, and what we have to exchange for it is our life given freely and lovingly to God.

The kingdom of heaven is that pearl, and nothing else we could possess should stand in our way. The kingdom of heaven is that net full of jewels and junk, and one day God will sort it all out.

Central to it all is the Cross. It marks the spot where Jesus has placed the treasure of a Gospel-centered life for all to find. Suffering is part of the journey, and so are love, compassion, forgiveness, and generosity.

We are stewards of that buried treasure, not its owners, but then Jesus is no pirate either. From his treasure chest he freely gives to those who love him - and teaches us to do the same.

Fr. John G. Stillmank is Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Madison and pastor of St. Andrew Parish, Verona, and St. William Parish, Paoli.