Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB reflects on the Gospel for the 17th Sunday of the year - the pearl of great price. Photo by Eye for Ebony on Unsplash

Well you'll be glad to know that this week Jesus is still reflecting on the 'field'-the field that is the church made up of a variety of good and bad; the church that is inclusive, the church that does not judge: rather, a church that offers peace and reconciliation to those in need.

In this field of differences, we are told that that the farmer digs and finds a priceless treasure. In the midst of the ordinary and everyday, the amazing is found. There is one slight problem: this particular field does not belong to him! He goes and sells everything he owns, because it will be worth it for the treasure he has found. In the time of lockdown we had to give up so much: things we once took for granted, like popping into the local supermarket, are now a distant memory as we mask up and use hand sanitiser.

In these past few months, I hope you have been able to find treasure: a new appreciation of your family and friends; offering time to help others; spending time at the local Food-bank or perhaps volunteering to help get your Church ready for public liturgy again. These times have been demanding and hard, but each of you will hopefully find some goodness in the mess. I urge you to spend time in some quiet and trusted place to see what treasure you have in your life at this stage.

The pearl of great price is not about money, but what is essential and important in our lives: "where your heart is there your treasure is." Treasure your family love today; give thanks for the treasure that your friends are and the blessings they bring you. Treasure can be found in those little things that bring us together: the smiles, the memories and those simple words of encouragement. I am blessed with a friend who has an amazing vision of life: for her, life is not simply good, but SERIOUSLY GOOD. May your treasure be seriously good!

Sometimes it might seem that God hides from us and we search so hard to try and find that peace in our lives. I suspect that during our 'wobbles', big or small, we might have experienced a sense of loneliness or abandonment. The truth is that God always walks with us during the pilgrimage of life. Sometimes, just like Jesus, we might have to cry out, "my God, my God why have you abandoned me?" In that searching we will find God and enjoy the life we have been given.

We must also remember that our treasure will change through life: what was essential and needed pre-lockdown perhaps isn't that important anymore. Perhaps it has taken a global pandemic to make us reassess our priorities in life and what helps us to grow and thrive. Change has to come as a result of these times: Bishops and clergy cannot return to the same pre-Covid 19 Church. We all need to be open to the changes that will be asked of us; indeed that openness is a wonderful treasure in itself. As Church we have to grow beyond the "we've always done it THIS way" mentality. Lockdown has shown us a whole variety of ways to be faithful to our baptismal promises in new and exciting ways. We cannot lose the combined wisdom of these past few months: in this harshness, we found real treasures.

May the God of Surprises delight you, inviting you to accept gifts not yet imagined.
May the God of Transformation call you, opening you to continual renewal.
May the God of Justice confront you, daring you to see the world through God's eyes.
May the God of Abundance affirm you, nudging you towards deeper trust
May the God of Embrace hold you, encircling you in the hearth of God's home.
May the God of Hopefulness bless you, encouraging you with the fruits of faith.
May the God of Welcoming invite you, drawing you nearer to the fullness of God's expression in you.
May God Who is Present be with you, awakening you to God in all things, all people, and all moments.
May God be with you.
Amen
(Elizabeth Figueroa)