Two themes seem to weave through the readings for last Sunday: treasure and delight. The treasure is the extraordinary gift that comes from God; the delight is the joy that we experience when we realise that the treasure is ours. A third theme, which is found in the first reading, picks up a theme that we have considered regularly, namely, service of others.

The treasure is the kingdom of heaven. It is the prize that gives meaning to the present, and its fullest delight draws us into the future. The reign of God is the fulfilment of our deepest desires and our fondest hopes. Nothing in the world can compare with it, and that is why we are willing to sacrifice everything to attain it. The treasure that we find is really a gift that is given. We need not work to attain the kingdom, nor can we earn it in any way. It is given to us by God. All we have to do is accept it.