Third Discourse in Matthew: We can never be satisfied...or can we?

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. ~ Matthew 13:44-46

For it is said that humans are never satisfied, that you give them one thing and they want something more. And this is said in disparagement, whereas it is one of the greatest talents the species has and one that has made it superior to animals that are satisfied with what they have.” ~ John Steinbeck, The Pearl
But Alexander, I'll never forget the first time I saw your face
I have never been the same
Intelligent eyes in a hunger-pang frame
And when you said "Hi, " I forgot my dang name
Set my heart aflame, ev'ry part aflame
This is not a game
"You strike me as a woman who has never been satisfied."
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean. You forget yourself."
"You're like me. I'm never satisfied."
"Is that right?"
"I have never been satisfied." ~ Angelica Schuyler & Alexander Hamilton ("Satisfied" from Hamilton)


 (Spoiler!) In Steinbeck's, The Pearl, things do not end well for Kino the fisherman when he finds his enormous pearl.

 And years of not being satisfied ultimately lead Alexander Hamilton to death by duel.

 So when Jesus uses these parables, it does seem a bit of a head scratcher.

 It sounds foolish - completely loony - to sell everything you have to buy one pearl, or even one plot of land.

 And it sounds downright greedy to claim with pride that you are never satisfied.

 Didn't Jesus know what happens to Kino and Alexander Hamilton?

 I mean, is he telling us to be foolish? Greedy?

Or is he telling us that in our wild imaginations, we could never dream up what the Kingdom is.

 So dream big. Hold out hope.

 Act foolishly.

 Because the treasure is something that will more than satisfy.

Mediation: Spend some time trying to imagine the treasure Jesus is offering here.


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