Treasure Hidden in a Field

Jesus said to his disciples, "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
"Have you understood all this?" They answered, "Yes." And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old." Matthew 13:44-52


Over the past few days we have learned a great deal about tea. Our wonderful host, Bishop David Lai, is an expert on tea. Calling him an expert is probably short changing him. He has found a great treasure in tea, in the hospitality and tranquility it provides when shared with others. He has plumbed the depths of the spirituality that surrounds the preparing of tea, the true gift of humbly sharing and finding subtle and powerful beauty in the varieties of tea.

Jesus reminds us how we find joy. We set aside our usual limitations and follow after that which brings us joy. We find our joy and our bliss by embracing and honoring the treasures we have been given. The blessings we have are to be cultivated, honored, welcomed and pried. It is how God acts towards us and how we are to act towards others.

Today I ask God for renewed strength to seek the joy that is to be found today. May we delight in the blessings we have been given and act as God does towards us - embracing and enfolding the joy we have been given, sharing it with others, spreading blessing all around.