Real Estate Deal

Wednesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time &
Eusebius of Vercelli, Bishop

Readings for Wednesday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time
Biographical Information about Eusebius of Vercelli

Reflection:

This past Sunday we spoke about the pursuit of our passions and what that says about the person. Today we hear two parables in the Gospel. Since they are short they are given here:

Jesus said to his disciples:
“The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried
in a field, which a person finds and hides again,
and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Again, the Kingdom of heaven is
like a merchant searching for fine pearls.
When he finds a pearl of great price,
he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”

What we may not have thought of when we think about these parables is that Jesus is saying that Eternal Life, Salvation, in short the Kingdom of Heaven, is that object of greatest value. In our minds, sometimes, I think we think he is speaking of himself (which he is but indirectly). If we substitute Eternal Life for the Kingdom of Heaven, it takes on a little different meaning, a more personal feel. It’s also pretty hard to dispute that Eternal Life is worth our greatest effort.

We might ask; How could it be that everyone would not be working their hardest to secure this great promise? How is it that so many people put such little thought to it. If we said a person of middle age did not bother with either a 401K or retirement plan, that person would be considered irresponsible by most of us. Yet if that same person said they did not care about their spiritual selves, their faith, their salvation, the general public would say; “Oh, that person is not religious, no big deal.”

It comes down to this, before there can be passion for the Kingdom of heaven, there must be a fundamental belief in the promise of Christ. If that faith is weak or non-existent, then the search for the keys to the Kingdom will be half-hearted or non-existent. It is easy for us to see those who find Eternal Life to be something of value. They are the ones who make their faith a priority not just an obligation. They are the ones who live the faith daily, not just for an hour on Sunday or worse at Easter and Christmas.

Today we are reminded that there is a pearl of great price within our grasp. It will take all our effort and resources to secure it. God, we pray, give us the strength of will and of conviction to seek that pearl with all our hearts that we might achieve its promise.

Pax