Dear Friends
We live in such a beautiful part of the world. East Lothian seems to have it all: the hills, the beach and seascape, the fields of rich brown earth, the communities in the villages and towns and, of course, wonderful people. We are very blessed. We also enjoy a rich history which has left us many beautiful reminders of times gone past: St Mary’s church which began in 1380… Holy Trinity church completed in 1770… and local people like John Gray, born in 1646, whose own 900 books made up the first ever public library in Britain.
And we even have treasure! In the early 20th century, the Traprain Law hoard was discovered, containing the largest collection of Roman silver currently known. It consists of silver vessels, personal equipment and coins. You can now see it at the National Museum in Edinburgh. More recently a stunning Roman serpent ring was found in East Lothian and it is being displayed in the John Gray centre until November. It dates from the first century and is made of solid gold. Such treasure!
I wonder what is our treasure? What do we regard as precious and priceless? It may be the beauty of creation – the opportunity and simplicity to stop and wonder at a single leaf, a rose in bloom or the architecture of the thistle. These are daily and easy treasures to find, if we take the time to actually see what is about us.
How about more hidden treasures? St Theresa of Avila regarded her greatest treasure as the desire (and conviction) to see the good in all people, however they treated her.
As we get older, we may find anew the treasure of time (which often eludes us during our working life): to take the time to slow down, think, contemplate, pray, and be courteous and kind to others.
How about the treasure of family and friends? The people closest to us can sometimes be a source of angst and irritation – but life is short and it is good to value them whilst we can and know their preciousness in our lives.
And lastly, how about the treasures that we can find within; those God-given gifts which we need to honour and celebrate, but sometimes forget to do so. These treasures may include the gift of sensitivity, empathy or understanding. They may be the gift of prayer, faith and love.
Jesus said: The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure lying buried in the field. Our life and identity in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, is the greatest of treasures we can possibly find – and, although it may sometimes seem to us to be buried, it is the treasure which is the source of every treasure, and to seek for it day by day is to seek life itself.
with love, Liz