When I was 6 or 7 years old, we lived in a neighborhood that was surrounded by open fields. Fields where we could play, explore and have adventures. So, one day, we got this idea in our heads that there was a buried treasure out there in the field, so my next-door neighbor and I grabbed shovels and started digging holes looking for that treasure. We’d dig one hole and find nothing, so we’d change spots and dig another. Our parents probably thought it was hilarious because the shovels were bigger than we were, but we were not going to be deterred. We just knew that if we found that treasure, we could buy all the toys, snacks, and candy we wanted! Well… needless to say, after a couple of hours, we trudged home with no treasure.

Jesus uses similar examples in the Gospel today when discussing the kingdom of heaven and what one who understands the value of it would do to obtain it. He says that a person finds a treasure buried in a field and upon recognizing what it is, hides it so he can go and sell all he has to buy the field and thus obtain the treasure. He also likens the kingdom of heaven to a merchant who finds a pearl of great value and he too goes and sells all he has to obtain the pearl.

Unfortunately, then and now, when we think of treasure or pearls, our mind seems to quickly go to riches and what we would do with that money. Like me digging for that treasure in the field hoping to buy all those toys and candy, we too as adults may also think about all the things we would buy to be “happy.” But Jesus wants us focused on what he means by these images – and that’s the kingdom of heaven.

So, we often think of the kingdom of heaven as, well, being in heaven. There we will have no pain, shame, guilt… no hurt or sickness… we are totally content and ecstatic to be with our God forever! Words can’t begin to describe the kingdom of heaven in heaven, our vocabulary is not up to the task.

But is the kingdom of heaven only in heaven? Or is it possible that it is here too? Could the first fruits of that joy happen here on earth? And if it is, would we “sell all we have to obtain it?” Well, Jesus isn’t telling us to sell all we have but he is saying that holding onto all that the world tells us we need – and the jealousy and resentment it can spawn when we can’t have it is anything but the kingdom of heaven.

We humans get a little obsessed at times with wanting something – a bigger house, a nicer car, a bigger job or a better wardrobe and when we can’t or don’t get it, it can grind on us. Why did they get that, and we didn’t? Not very kingdom of heaven-like.

So, is there another way? How can we get the first fruits of the kingdom of heaven here on earth? I think Jesus gives us good direction to do just that.

First, He says to let go. Let go of the desires for stuff that really doesn’t please us or fulfill us. Someone always has more than we have and better than we have, and frankly that stuff doesn’t bring us lasting joy anyway. We need to let go and purge those desires from our minds if we hope to experience the kingdom of heaven here on earth.

Second, re-assess what we do value. I always thought my grandparents had their priorities right because when I’d ask them what they wanted for Christmas, they without hesitation would say they just simply wanted to be with us. That was enough. How do we fill our lives with more of that contentment?

And finally, thank Jesus for what we do have every day, those things we have rightly assessed to be of great value to us. More valuable than what the world tells us we “need”, instead we are thankful for what we have. Family, quiet time, the outdoors, reading, or time with friends. Those things bring lasting joy and memories. And the more we pray in thanksgiving for them, the more we will value them in our lives and the more peace, contentment and hope we have. That is the kingdom of heaven here on earth! This is what Jesus promises us, both here on earth when we do let go and really follow him, and ultimately what we will feel when we are with him in heaven.

He has shown us the kingdom of heaven. We can experience it here on earth in a changed set of priorities and a changed life. Are we ready to dig up that treasure?