When I was a little boy, at a stadium watching baseball or at an arena watching basketball with dad, I often asked for a box of Cracker Jacks for two reasons. First, I liked how they tasted; and second, they always came with a prize inside, a little treasure.
We are all endowed with God-given natural gifts, one of which is wisdom (the ability to judge). For example, aided with natural wisdom, before long, I was able to correctly judge that the prizes in a box of Cracker Jacks were rinky-dinky in comparison to other things of the world… like a shiny new bicycle.
When we were baptized, we were infused with Divine Wisdom, one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. This important gift is supernatural, meaning it is above and beyond our nature, helping us judge the value of things as God judges them. Aided with Divine Wisdom, we are able to judge where true treasure lies. However, at baptism, these gifts are like seeds: if in humility we cooperate with God they will grow, if we do not cooperate, they will not grow.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where you treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Mt 6:19-21).
It is true that whatever treasures we accumulate on earth, when we die, we will leave them all here on earth. How do we lay up treasures in heaven, “Where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal?” By using our earthly treasures for the benefit of our neighbors who are in need.
The two consistent common characteristics of the saints are an intense love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and for the poor and needy. I see this daily in our donors. “If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God” (Col 3:1).
Last spring, I traveled to Surprise, Ariz., with Father Daniel Rayer and Father Harlan Waskowiak to watch the Royals during spring training. It was there that I succumbed to a strong temptation: I bought a box of Cracker Jacks. Yes, they were delicious! But natural wisdom informed me that the prizes and treasures inside are more rinky-dinky than they were more than 50 years ago!
But after 10 seconds of disappointment, Divine Wisdom reminded me where true treasures are, where “No eye has seen, nor ear heard nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Cor 2:9).
