When a typical person is wandering through a field, and they discover a treasure, they keep it. What they DON’T DO, is leave it there, sell everything they own, and purchase the entire field.

So what kind of point is Jesus trying to make with this parable?

Most people understand the treasure represents (either) heaven or Jesus Christ, himself. And Jesus wants to make it clear to his followers that when it comes to the Christian life, there are no shortcuts. You can’t cheat your way into heaven. You can’t steal the Kingdom of God.

You have to give everything.

My home has a night routine. First, our toddler gets a bath. Then, we ask if she’s hungry again. If so, it’s “second dinner.” (How do people who are so small eat so much?!) Next, it’s time to brush teeth. After that, all three of us pray together. Finally, milk and cuddles (which currently entails a few “Frog and Toad” stories).

The best part? The prayer. And while I’d like to think my prayers do an adequate job, and my wife knocks them out of the park, every few nights, Georgiana decides she wants to lead. It blows us away every time.

Here is a recreation: “Uh. Thank you for Mommy. Daddy. Ahmee (Grandma Linda). Thank you for Gramma Sue. Frog. Toad. Big bed. Mot (milk). Thank you for toast…” This goes on for about three more paragraphs. And we let her go. It seems nothing escapes her gratitude. SHE JUST TURNED THREE!

Pop Quiz! Why did Jesus speak in parables?

When I was younger, I always thought the entire point of the parables was to take complicated teachings and make them understandable through the use of stories. If that was your answer, you get partial credit. Let’s take another look at the heart of this Sunday’s gospel.

“The disciples approached him and said, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” He said to them in reply, “Because knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted.”

Jesus used parables to as a way to make difficult teachings more understandable to those open to him, while—at the same time—confounding those whose hearts were (and are) closed to him.

How do we know this?

I trust I don't have to repeat the litany of issues we are all facing these days...and it might not be over. Just last week, a 7.5 earthquake hit Mexico. Then, the next day, a 5.8 said hello to central California. Do any of you really want to rule out The Big One hitting California this year? (I'm not saying I want that to happen, I have many dear friends out West.) The point is - 2020's rough start might just turn into a rough year.

I think it is very important for all of us to ingest a few specific words from Sunday's Gospel reading: “Come to me, all you who...are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

I experience anxiety anytime I open my mouth these days. The avalanche of statistics, articles, video, and opinions on virtually any topic can leave anyone feeling woefully unprepared to speak out with any modicum of conviction.

But there are some things I know...

Today is the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. It is the day we celebrate our Lord sharing himself with every single human who chooses to accept that it is his Body and Blood.

This is key, because once again, Jesus sets the standard.

I rarely do this, but because of two particular emails I received in response to last week’s email blast about fear—and due to current events—I’d like to add a bit to those thoughts. (Don’t stop halfway through.)

In Batman Begins, a character named Scarecrow releases a fear toxic across Gotham City. It feels like the devil has done the same thing to our land.

As I write this, we are dealing with a declared pandemic, people have died, many more have become unemployed, a fire has broken out just miles from the church and has destroyed several homes, those sworn to protect and serve are murdering people on camera, riots are spreading across the land, a curfew has been imposed on law-abiding citizens...and who could forget the murder hornets.