Christ’s Treasure
It is said that long ago Paul of Tarsus and his friend
Barnabas were traveling to spread the Christian
doctrine.
 |
They carried the word of the Master, preaching
his Gospel to uneducated and ignorant people who
were in need of God. They traveled very simply,
usually on foot, carrying the minimum necessary
for their survival. |
One day, they passed through a deserted area, full of
cliffs and forests infested with bandits. They were
headed to the city of Antioch in Pisidia, which was
still far away. For the first time on that trip, they
would be forced to sleep in the open, in the midst of
nature.
They overcame precipices, crossed a mighty river and, on
the other side, they found a cave in the rocks where
they settled to rest their exhausted and aching bodies.
They had almost nothing to eat, but they were excited,
overcoming obstacles with optimism and courage.
Solitude suggested beautiful thoughts to them.
In the evening and after a frugal meal, they began to
gleefully comment on the excellence of the Gospel,
extolling the greatness of the mission of Jesus Christ.
- If only men knew… - said Barnabas, making comparisons.
- All would gather around the Lord and rest! - Paul said
with conviction.
- He is the prince who will reign over all…
- No one has brought greater wealth into this world.
- Ah! - commented Barnabas. - The treasure of which He
was a messenger will better the earth forever.
And so they continued talking, when a singular movement
stirred their attention. Two armed men rushed over both
of them in the dim light of a resin lit torch.
- The bag! - cried one of the evildoers.
Barnabas became slightly pale but Paul was calm and
impassive.
- Give us what you have or die! - exclaimed the other
thug, raising his dagger.
Looking at his companion, Paul said:
- Give them the money we have left. God will supply our
needs another way.
Barnabas emptied the purse he carried among the folds of
his tunic, while the malefactors eagerly collected the
small sum.
Noting the Gospel scrolls that the missionaries
consulted in the light of the improvised torch, one of
the thieves suspiciously and ironically questioned:
- What documents are these? They speak of an opulent
prince ... We heard references to treasure ... What does
that mean?
With admirable presence of mind, Paul explained:
- Yes, indeed, these scrolls are the pathway to the
immense treasure that was brought to us the Christ
Jesus, who will reign over the princes of the Earth.
One of the bandits, greatly interested, examined the
scroll of the Gospel.
- Whoever finds this treasure - continued Paul, resolute
- will never need anything else.
The thieves grabbed the Gospel carefully and, putting
out the flickering torch, disappeared into the darkness
of the night.
When they saw themselves alone again, Barnabas could not
conceal his astonishment:
- What now? - he asked in a trembling voice.
- Our mission is still going well - said Paul, full of
courage - We just had the excellent opportunity to
transmit the Good News to thieves.
Surprised by such serenity, Barnabas considered,
somewhat worried:
- But they took our last loaves of bread, as well as the
cloaks we wore and the coins.
- There will always be some fruit on the road - Paul
said decisively - and as for the clothes, let us not be
too careful, for the leaves of the trees will not fail
us.
- But how can we resume our task if we do not even have
the notes of the Gospel?
Paul, however, unbuttoning his robe, removed something
he kept close to his heart.
- You're mistaken, Barnabas - he said with an
optimistic smile - I have here the Gospel which I have
received from my master Gamaliel, and which I have
always treasured.
The missionary clutched the treasure of Christ in his
hands, and joy took over his heart. These valiant men
could dispense with all the comforts of the world, but
the word of Jesus could not be lacking.
AUNT CELIA
(Adaptation of
the work "Paul
and Stephen", by
the Spirit
Emmanuel and
psychographed by
Francisco
Cândido Xavier.)
Translation:
Johnny Silveira / silveirajohnny@yahoo.com
