Wednesday 28 July
Matthew 13:44-46
Tom Monaghan founded one of the most successful companies in America. In 1998 he sold it for $1 billion (about £600 million) and has since dedicated his life to serving God and the Church. Discovering true treasure compelled him to dispense with many of his riches: he got rid of his Sikorsky s76 helicopter, his corporate jet, Rolls-Royce and Bentley Turbo, not to mention his 190ft yacht and a rare collection of Frank Lloyd Wright artefacts.
Our materialistic and consumer-driven mentality finds such behaviour difficult (if not impossible) to understand. The more hard-bitten among us might even question the man’s mental stability! After all, people dream of possessing a fraction of what Tom worked to achieve, leading to many playing the lottery in the hope of getting rich quick. Indeed, it is the summit of ambition for countless people. Tom is a twenty-first-century example of today’s parables. He discovered the unspeakable joy of the kingdom and no amount of possessions or wealth could compare. In fact, the world and its desires fade before the exquisite beauty and treasure of Christ.
What is clear is that Tom’s heart was moved to respond to the commands of the coming kingdom. If we don’t share this vision of what the kingdom of heaven is like, such behaviour can seem incomprehensible. The human mind, on its own, cannot understand the glory of the kingdom of heaven. Our minds are dull and slow to understand how fickle wealth is and how transitory our existence. We can be offended by the notion that our post-modern and enlightened minds are dark; but the truth is that when it comes to God and his kingdom they so often are.
We need God’s light to illuminate our minds. His light is able to widen our horizon and deepen our insight into the true value of serving him. Throughout history men and women have been inspired to renounce everything for Christ and the gospel. Their glimpse of the treasure was enough. We too can expect God to expand our grasp of what the kingdom of heaven is like.
‘Lord, I want to know the joy of your kingdom and the exhilaration that comes from penetrating more deeply into the riches of this mystery which is Christ in us, the hope of glory.'
Jeremiah 15:10, 16-21 • Psalm 58(59):2-5, 10-11, 17-18
Matthew 13:44-46
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