Each of us has many treasures in our lives—those places where we pour our hearts out. It might be our attachment to our loved ones, or what allows us to fulfill our desires, what we’re passionate about, or even what flatters our ego…
For us as a couple, vacations can be a special time to strengthen our bond and nurture our spiritual communion through shared prayer and contemplating nature together, far from the hectic pace of everyday life.
This could be an opportunity for us to rediscover together what our true “treasure” is, because
« For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also » Lc 12, 34
What is our true “treasure”?
This verse appears in the middle of Chapter 12 of the Gospel of Luke, where Jesus urges us not to worry about our future—what we will drink, eat, or wear—because our Father knows well what we need. He tells us: “Seek first his Kingdom, and all these things will be given to you as well.” v. 31
What is our true treasure? How does the word “treasure” resonate with each of us? This is not about offering a theological reflection, but simply about welcoming what the Holy Spirit is whispering to me.
Surely, we like to tell ourselves that our treasure “is you, is our children.” Often, we even address our spouse or child by saying, “my treasure”! And we’re right; isn’t it, even without realizing it, the presence of God in the other person that we admire?… But Jesus offers something even greater: “Your Father has seen fit to give you the Kingdom” (v. 32). The true Treasure is the Kingdom; it is LIFE IN GOD. The true Treasure is Jesus, who offers himself to me, to our marriage, to our family.
The Lord invites us to cherish this treasure: “Remain in me, as I remain in you… Whoever remains in me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” Jn 15:4–5
How wonderful it is to contemplate Mary in the Gospel of the Visitation, which the liturgy offers us on this August 15 (Luke 1:39–56). Mary is that young woman who dwells so deeply in God that she surrenders herself to the Spirit of the Lord and to what the Angel tells her at the Annunciation. Upon arriving at her cousin Elizabeth’s home, Mary carries Jesus in her womb; God dwells “literally” within her.
The fruit of Mary’s visit is magnificent: “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. Then Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit” (v. 41). Jesus’ presence in Mary brings life to Elizabeth’s womb, and the Holy Spirit is manifested. God’s presence within us brings forth more life and allows the Holy Spirit to act in those to whom we are sent!
That’s not all—life itself trembled, but it trembled with joy (v. 44). Joy is given in abundance. Elizabeth rejoices in recognizing Mary as the mother of her Savior, and Mary herself exults with joy in a magnificent “Magnificat”!
“Abide in me, as I abide in you… Whoever abides in me and in whom I abide bears much fruit.”
God’s plan for our lives is wonderful. But it is up to us to discover it. To do so, we must let go of our own ideas—which are too small and too limited—and embrace God’s ideas. It is through meditation on His Word, through praise, through prayer, and through “trilogue” that we will find the path God desires for us.
During this holiday season, let’s savor as a couple this treasure of sitting together before God, in God. “The true journey… is to reach an exceptional place where the flavor of the moment permeates every aspect of our inner life.” Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
And let us not forget, either, that our Treasure is the One who brings us together within the CANA mission and every Sunday in church. It is there that the Lord joins the communities gathered in his name. In communion with one another, “let us rejoice with joy, for he is in our midst”!