The child-king of Judah, baby Joash, was "hidden" in safety in the Temple, "concealed" from the murderous queen Athaliah (2 Kgs 11:2-3). This child-king foreshadows Jesus, another Child-King, Who was hidden in Egypt from the murderous King Herod (Mt 2:13ff). Ultimately, Jesus lived for thirty years hidden from the public eye. Jesus is still "hidden," in the Tabernacle inside a Catholic Church near you. He is hidden in plain sight, available to anyone who seeks Him with open eyes and an open heart.
Jesus speaks of another hidden treasure, buried in a field (Mt 13:44). Heavenly treasures are hidden from view, but revealed to those who search for them. So it is with the heavenly treasures which Jesus urges us to "store up" (Mt 6:20). With them we are rich, but to those in the world, who cannot see spiritual treasures (see 1 Cor 2:14), it seems we have nothing (see 2 Cor 6:10).
The most important Treasure is Jesus Himself. Jesus, our King and our Treasure, is often hidden. However, Jesus is not hidden from us; He is hidden for us. He wants us to seek Him and find Him. The price to find Jesus is expensive; He costs our "all" (Mt 13:44). However, everyone has an "all," so everyone can afford to make Jesus their Treasure.
When we truly make Jesus our Treasure, that is where our heart is firmly set (Mt 6:21). No one can see our heavenly Treasure, but also no one can separate us from this Treasure (see Rm 8:35-39).
| PRAYER: | Father, thank You for not hiding Jesus from me. Give me the grace to turn "ten times the more to seek Him" (Bar 4:28). |
| PROMISE: | "Remember, where your Treasure is, there your heart is also." –Mt 6:21 |
| PRAISE: | St. Aloysius wrote: God "invites me to the infinite bliss I have sought so languidly, and promises me this reward for the tears I have so seldom shed. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College