The image of today’s gospel is relevant for our time and it’s the image of this treasure chest. Something that has so much value. So much worth. Something that’s treasured and deserves to be kept safe. The way Jesus uses the word ‘treasure’ is connected to a storehouse of riches, it’s closely connected to even the thoughts we have that are “stored up” in our heart and mind. Jesus says that this storehouse of riches, is the very Kingdom of God. And that’s a treasure that we have a glimpse of during every mass! That’s a treasure worth finding and then doing everything in our power to never lose it.

 

Yesterday, the church celebrated the feast of St. James the Apostle, one of the Sons of Thunder. Saint James was one of Jesus’ closest friends. He was a fisherman along with his brother John at the time they had been called by Jesus. Scripture says that they left everything – even their father, so that they could follow Jesus. Tradition holds that after Jesus’ crucifixion, Saint James traveled through Spain making a pilgrimage on foot, preaching the gospel. When he returned to Judea, he was martyred for his faith, beheaded for preaching the news of Jesus’ resurrection. The tradition also holds that some Christians and followers of St. James retrieved his body, placed it on a boat and set it off into the ocean without any guide. They entrusted the remains of St. James to God. Miraculously, his remains landed on the shore of the western coast of Spain where he had preached and he was buried in the region of Galicia. One day a hermit saw mysterious lights, very similar to stars shining over a field. When he approached, he found what looked like a treasure chest, shining in the night. It was the tomb of the faithful Apostle. That place became known as “Campus Stellae”—"Field of Stars”. 

 

Today, it’s known as Santiago (James) de Compostela. Each year, thousands of pilgrims begin that same pilgrimage of St. James. On foot. Walking hundreds of miles to venerate the remains of St. James. In 2023, I was beyond blessed to receive the blessings of that pilgrimage. The treasures of those graces are still stored up in my heart and mind. Jesus tells us that the Kingdom of God is this treasure which seeks to be found. And so may we experience heaven, may we taste it, store it up and never forget it.  Amen.

 

-Fr. V