Hidden Treasures
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”
This is Sir John Everett Millais engraving "The Hidden Treasure" (1864). The stark black and white image captures the moment the peasant discovers the treasure in the field, just as Jesus describes in the Parable. The man's posture and rapt focus express his all-consuming awe and excitement upon unearthing the trove, which begins to glimmer faintly from the shadows. His yoke of oxen - a dominating concern in the image, and undoubtedly to this poor farmer hithertofore -- lumber slowly and quietly away, forgotten. The precise lines etching his concealed features and simple garb align with the hidden, humble, unassuming finder in Christ's tale. Importantly, the treasure itself remains obscured, barely discernible in the shadowed ground. The single bag of coins in his hands represents only a small portion of the full riches within reach.
This image brilliantly mirrors a key theme of the Scripture readings - the wonder of discovering the Kingdom of Heaven. Though its total glory remains veiled, we grasp its immeasurable worth when illuminated by the Spirit. As the psalmist prays, "I love your commandments above all things, more than gold and precious stones!" The engraving's contrasts between shadow and light express the brightness of wisdom and the Law, contrasted with the darkness of ignorance. And the Gospel does not enter the picture as an overwhelming light, but as a hidden treasure, gleaming in the darkness. The image invites us, as we read in Paul, to fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen: the eternal weight of glory prepared for those who seek the treasure of Christ's Kingdom.
The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
— The Apostle Paul (Romans 8:26)
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
Texts for This Week
Prayer
Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Vocalise
Rachmaninoff’s sweeping, emotional work “Vocalise” beautifully complements the themes of wonder, spiritual treasure, and divine grace in this week’s readings. Performed with rich warmth by the Sakura Cello Quintet, the stunning melodies give voice to wordless joy and awe at discovering hidden riches. The cellos’ lyricism suggests deep yearning finally fulfilled. Their lush harmonies evoke abiding spiritual abundance, resonating with the psalmist’s delight in God’s perfect Word and the exceeding value of Christ’s kingdom.
Yet beneath the work’s surging passion lies a poignant melancholy, a haunting minor key expressing the sacrifices made to attain such treasures. This echoes Solomon relinquishing riches for wisdom and the parable’s finder selling all to buy the field concealing the fortune. Rachmaninoff’s somber tones likewise match the desperate need voiced in Romans – our frailty, inability to pray rightly, and dependence on the Spirit’s intercession. The cellos cry out, mimicking the wordless groans until God’s glorious revelation. Like the weathered peasant discovering the glimmering horde, we grasp but a fraction of the treasures in store. Still, works like “Vocalise” give us a glimpse, through music’s unique power, of unspeakable spiritual riches.
Origen on the Treasure in a Field
From his Commentary on Matthew, Book 10, 5-6.
Let me give you two ways of understanding the similitude of the Treasure in the Field. In the first, the field represents Scripture, which contains many open teachings but also hidden, deeper truths. In this case, the treasure buried in the field represents the wisdom concealed in Christ. Scripture conceals these profound insights like a field hides buried treasure. Another way of looking at is is that field is Christ himself, made up of revealed and concealed things. In this case, the treasure is the wisdom hidden in Christ, mentioned by Paul.
So the kingdom of heaven is depicted in Scripture, which conceals the treasure, or it's Christ himself, the treasure buried in the field.
A person exploring Scripture digs through it seeking understanding just as someone searches a field for treasure. In doing so, they discover hidden truths, either in the text or in knowing Christ. At first they keep these profound insights secret, realizing not everyone is ready to receive them. But to possess such treasure, they must fully own the field - grasp Scripture thoroughly.
Or, if Christ is the field, to find the wisdom buried in him, disciples must follow him completely, even selling their possessions. They renounce worldly things and receive from God a new purpose. They pay the cost to hold onto the treasure - Christ himself.
The kingdom is taken from those who don't produce fruit and given to faithful disciples who discover and keep the treasure, whether in Scripture or in Christ. The true owner is the one who with joy sacrifices all to possess the full field containing the buried treasure.
