In the Gospel reading, Jesus teaches the disciples the importance of persistence in one’s faith journey comparing the kingdom of God to a hidden treasure to be discovered. Jesuit spirituality teaches us that our greatest desire is also God’s greatest desire for us. Once we find our greatest desire, we will leave everything else behind and experience joy.
The band U2 has a song titled I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For. Life is full of moments where we “find” and “hide”. I have learned through faithful persistence that once I find this greatest desire that I do experience joy, and everything else fades in the background. I recall these moments–when I first met my wife, when each of my children was born, etc, and I give thanks to God.
Who, where, or what gives me joy in my life today: a joy that causes me to become completely immersed in that moment? Do I feel the presence of God in these moments? If I still haven’t found what I’m looking for, I pray for the faithful persistence to continue my search for the treasure, the pearl of great price that Jesus is calling me to.
With a grateful and open heart, I pray to Jesus for the gift of persistent faith to look for joy in my life by searching for him fully knowing that my greatest desire is God’s greatest desire for me.
—Dr. Sajit U. Kabadi is a chair of the Theology Department at Regis Jesuit High School in Colorado.