I was recently visiting our Sisters in the Philippines and they recalled living in terror, some years ago, when people from around the world came night after night digging in areas surrounding their home looking for the Yamashita Treasure, writes CRA National Council member, Sister Philippa Murphy FDNSC. This name was given to the alleged war loot worth billions of dollars, stolen by imperial Japanese forces during WW2, and supposedly hidden in various cities in the Philippines.

These treasure hunters gave up everything to pursue their dream of acquiring material riches. Their dreams, the search for their treasures, caused fear, distress, heartache and anxiety for themselves. Distress also for many innocent people who lived in areas where those searching for treasures had little respect or regard for the needs of others. Unlike the one in Matthew’s Gospel, these treasure hunters did not go off happy or joyful, for the longing in their hearts had not been fulfilled.

As I reflected on today’s Gospel, I thought of our foundresses and founders and their personal experience of the love of the heart of God. Sandra Schneiders in her book ‘Buying the field’, reminds us that; ‘religious life is like the treasure hidden in the field of Church and world, for which some, in their joy at finding it, have unhesitatingly sold all they possessed.’ And isn’t this what our foundresses and founders did? Having experienced the love of Jesus, they were willing to give up everything. This love was their treasure. So; finding the treasure, what did they do? They dared to dream, often audacious dreams as they responded to the emerging needs of their time. There enthusiasm for mission and hearts of fire with the love of God, attracting others join them. Including us.

And what of us? We too have found the treasure, sold everything, and through our deep listening have gone looking for the ‘pearl of great price,’ with only one desire, to share this with others.

The pearl of great price, the reign of God, calls us to be women and men centred on love and justice. The call is to draw close to God’s people and allow our hearts to be broken by the things that break the hearts of our sisters and brothers, the things that break the heart of God, to allow our hearts to be moved with compassion just as the heart of Jesus, the good shepherd, was moved with compassion, to be women and men of forgiveness and peace in a world that values aggression and dominance. In essence to go where there is exclusion and suffering because that’s where God chose to go, to the peripheries, and let our words and our actions say we see you, we love you.

We see this today with members of CRA who continue to dream boldly of an Australia, where First Nations people are reverenced and respected. We see religious leaders bringing forth the reign of God when they gift their houses to various agencies, to provide shelter for women suffering from domestic violence, substance abuse, addictions, and homelessness; when they unite with ACRATH, the Opening Doors Foundation and with Pacific Calling Partnership for climate action etc. We see leaders here today, who dare to dream when they spend many hours working in collaboration with others, discerning how they will live their future through the Emerging Futures Initiative, and equally we see leaders providing tender, compassionate care for the most vulnerable members in our Congregations, the elderly. We see religious leaders present today, daring to dream of a different way of being, when supporting and loving our LGBTQI+ sisters and brothers, offering their chapels for acceptance liturgies and their facilities for celebrations. If our treasure is in discovering God’s Love and in recognizing this love: this Divine Love in a human heart - in Jesus, we honour, safeguard and proclaim that Treasure in the sharing. And especially with all in our earth and human family – who are most in need.

Today’s Gospel aligns beautifully with our Assembly theme, ‘Daring to Dream’. Pope Francis reminds us; ‘this is the moment to dream big, rethink our priorities, what we value’. In this changing world we continue to ask: who we are to be, and what is ours to do in this world right here, right now? We are urged to ‘wait patiently’, to listen to our world, and to wait patiently for the Spirit’s prompting, with openness, joy and hope.

We have found the pearl of great price. Let’s support each other in continuing to let our voice be heard, advocating, and acting for the things that matter; for truth, for justice and for peace; and especially for love’.

Today, needs have changed but the way we are called to respond hasn’t changed, with the same risk taking, boldness and truth telling of our founders and with deep trust in the Spirit calling us to move. And we can move with confidence because we have sold everything for ‘the treasure in the field’. We don’t do this alone; Pope Francis urges us to; walk together and offer a radiant and attractive witness of communion. At this time in our history, we have been called to synodality As a Church, with and for others, we move forward ... discerning together to bring about Jesus’ dream for us all – that ‘all may be one’ and sharing ‘life to the full!’

Yes, we have found ‘the treasure in the field’, and we have sold everything to own it. This is our joy – and our hope. Isaiah heard God’s words ‘Come, let us talk this over. Let us dare to dream’ Is 1:18. let our response be a resounding yes to live the invitation to dream big. And may our collective, enthusiastic yes, assure people that God loves them with a human heart, no exceptions, no exclusions.

If they, and if we come to truly believe and experience this – then we have truly found our Treasure!

Sister Philippa Murphy FDNSC is the Provincial Leader of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and is the Executive Member of the CRA National Council. She gave this reflection at the recent CRA National Assembly Mass.