Readings: Jeremiah 15:10, 16-21; Psalm 59; Matthew 13:44-46
There are times in life when we may start having doubts about our faith, about the things we hold so dear; a time when we are just tired and unsure. Quite often, we go through this phase when, for instance, we do not receive the desired answer to a prayer, when we lose someone dear to us or when our life’s journey is rough, tough and slow. Sometimes we wonder if God is there, if He loves us, if He cares. We ask when shall all this end. We ask if this is all worth it.
In the First Reading of today, we have the struggles of Jeremiah. He was called by God and given strong prophetic messages which caused serious antagonism and persecution from the people. Jeremiah became very frustrated. He confronted God and lamented his fate. The Lord reassured Him again that He would be with Him. God didn’t promise to make his cross lighter, He just promised His continuous presence with Jeremiah. He promised to give him strength greater than the opposition he would face and to save Him from all his foes, if only Jeremiah would keep trusting and not be discouraged.
In the Gospel of today, Jesus told a parable to encourage the disciples, who like Jeremiah, needed some encouragement. Jesus was using this parable to teach them that even though they may have been having some difficulties, it would all be worth it. They may have sacrificed so much to follow Him but it would all be worth it. All their questions may not have been answered but they were not deluded, they had a point, they had found invaluable treasure. What they had and what awaited them were better than anything they might have sacrificed in life and any difficulties they may have been enduring at that moment.
St. Paul puts it this way in Romans 8:18:
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us (also read 2 Corinthians 4:17).
This is the message for all of us too.
To know the Lord, to have faith and hope of eternal life, is to find eternal treasure, a treasure that we must never lose, a treasure that far outweighs all the gains and pains of this world.
Sermon preached by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Baraka-Gukena Okami on July 27, 2022