Antiphona 5

Matthew 13:44 provides this parable comparing the Kingdom to hidden treasure. The finder 'abscondito in agro' (hidden in a field) discovers what was always there but unrecognized. The 'thesaurus' (treasure) is Christ himself, or the Kingdom, or eternal life - all ultimately identical. The discoverer's joy leads to total commitment: selling all to purchase the field. At Vespers, this antiphon presents the virgin martyr as one who found the hidden treasure - Christ's love - and gladly sacrificed everything, including life itself, to possess it permanently.