Opening to the Spirit
Today’s word: Treasure
puzzle out the meaning that makes me smile. There is always treasure at the end of the hunt, but you have to work hard to be rewarded.
I like to think that in life, things that are truly valuable are worth working for. Treasure does not come easily. I also think that spiritual treasures, peace, love, joy, hope, usually come with experience and struggle. Sometimes life gives us clues that we have to piece together for meaning. For me, the divine presence is a mystery, and when we reach the end of our hunt for meaning there is a great treasure, a wonderful reward.
3) “All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.” - Luke 2:1819
What are some of those words that we treasure? I remember hearing those sweet little voices, so many years ago, saying “I love you, Mommy” and I still treasure these words when I hear them with each conversation today. These days, it is more likely to be a more perfunctory “Love you, Mom.” or “Love you, bye…” but expressions of love are treasures, however they are said.
Some of the words that we treasure might be old letters. Re-reading love letters can spark our memories and our affection. Looking at messages written by family members who have died can almost bring back the person before us, as we hear their words in their voice.
Some of my treasured words are remarks made by professors on essays. My favourite ever is one that just says “Wow! A+”. I also, perversely, treasure performance reviews and event evaluations. This is not something to be proud of.
What about treasured poetry, treasured novels, treasured quotes from our various teachers? I am sure we could all make a list.
And, if we treasure the words of Scripture, these words can transform us. I think of my sweet grandmother, who spent time every day reading her Bible. Even after she was blind, she would still sit for at least an hour every day with the bible in her hands, turning the pages. We would do well to treasure these words and ponder them in our hearts.
4) Hidden away under my bed in the room I shared with three younger sisters was a battered little box I kept just within reach. Anytime I needed reminding, I could pull it out and open the box and count my precious things. Until somehow, somewhere years ago it got lost in a move along the way, replaced by other treasures.
Eyes closed, decades later I can still open that box. There were four shells, a silver locket framing an ancestor's tiny photo, one embroidered lavender sachet, holy cards from friends, birthday cards and a letter from my godmother, two spoons, a few stones found with my father's help, one wrinkled poem written by my own hand in shaky cursive, a Franciscan rosary passed down from a great aunt who was a nun. Things that might be trinkets to others were treasure to me, by what and who they stood for.
Against all my persistent longing for simplicity, life has continued to fill up with things, many of them mementos. So many items I use daily are gifts from a special someone; their concrete presence in my life brings the giver present each time I use them. My task has been to learn to use things mindfully. Now my treasures, both visible and invisible, are countless! And on the best days, I remember - tangible things may come and go, but the true treasure is life itself and the love it holds cannot fit into any box.
Who and what in this life do you hold most dear? His holiness the Dalai Llama is quoted as saying something to the effect that whereas things were created to be used, and people were created to be loved, chaos ensues whenever we get that backwards or upside down. Perhaps if we could learn to look for the richness hidden inside each person we meet, we'd treasure each other more.
One word, four voices - and now it's your turn to answer the question: What do you treasure?
Rev. Mead Baldwin pastors the Waterville & North Hatley pastoral charge; Rev. Lynn Dillabough is now Rector of St. Paul's in Brockville ON. She continues to write for this column as a dedicated colleague with the Eastern Townships clergy writing team; Rev. Lee Ann Hogle ministers to the Ayer’s Cliff, Magog & Georgeville United Churches; Rev. Carole Martignacco is Consulting Minister to UU Estrie-unitarian Universalists in North Hatley.