The Pearl of Great Price

The 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today’s Readings: [Click here]

You’ve probably heard it said that the Scriptures are the living word of God. That means that in a mysterious and spiritual way, God speaks to us through the bible—here, now and always. Each time we read Scripture or hear it proclaimed, the Holy Spirit offers us new insights and wisdom to help us grow in love and be drawn closer to God. So like a jewel with many facets, each time we return to God’s word, we can experience its light and beauty in a fresh, radiant way.

In the gospel parable today, Jesus says that the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls, and when he finds one pearl of great price, he goes and sells everything he has and buys it.

I’m sure you’ve heard this allegory many times, and I imagine you think you’ve gotten the main point: Like the merchant, we should sacrifice everything to gain heaven.

Then one day, perhaps it dawns on you—or rather, perhaps God’s living word touches you in a powerful, new way—that maybe you’ve got the message backwards.

Backwards? Listen to the parable again.

It doesn’t say you are like a merchant. It says the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant. In other words, it is God who is like a merchant in search of fine pearls.

Take just a second to absorb that little bit of wisdom. The fine pearls are the people of earth. Like a merchant who loves pearls and wants as many as possible, God loves his people and wants to bring them all into his kingdom.

But what about the price? What does it mean when the story says that the merchant “sold everything”? What does God “sell” to “buy” human beings?

Think for a moment. What is the most valuable thing God has? Ah, yes! That would be his unique child, Jesus. Christ’s life was what God paid to buy humanity. St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “You are not your own; you were bought for a price” (1 Cor 6:19-20).

So, then… that just leaves one last piece of the parable to figure out. What is the one pearl of great price that God would be willing to sell everything for?

That, my friend, would be you! Yes, God considers you the pearl of great value that he would give everything he has in order to win your heart and your love. If ever you have doubts about God’s profound love and care for you, you should make this your mantra: I am a pearl of great price.

So often, though, people forget how very much they are loved and watched over. Bad things happen and they might think God has deserted them. Anxiety, fear, apathy and pain creep in instead. You probably know friends or family members who are struggling with those kinds of issues in their life right now. Is there anything you can do to help them get from their place of pain and need into the loving, healing presence of God?

The answer is: Yes, definitely! Your strength and power to make a difference come from your realization in faith that you are indeed a pearl of great price… that God considers you one of his favorites and is eager to bless you and the ones you care about and pray for. As a pearl of great price, your intercession can have a huge impact on the lives you touch.

Do you remember the story of the paralytic who couldn’t reach Jesus because of the crowds? His friends carried him to the roof of the house, removed the tiles, and lowered him into the room where Jesus was. We’re told that the Lord healed the man because of the faith of his friends!

Each of us can be that same kind of force in the world. You don’t have to be exceptionally smart or clever or skilled. All you need is faith in God and a heart full of love and compassion.

But we human beings often tend to get caught up in external, non-essential things—the form, you might say, rather than the substance. We’re worried about following the rules. We’re worried about what people will think of us. We’re worried about getting our due.

Christ, on the other hand, is concerned with the substance. He was, and is, committed to loving and to relieving human suffering. He’s committed to forgiving sins, to healing broken bodies and spirits, to honoring human faith and trust, to accepting, affirming, and building people up. And he’d sure like us to be just the same.

Hopefully, in a spark of insight, we recognize that we truly are the pearl of great price. That’s when Christ’s way of life becomes our way of life. That’s when we can step out in faith and can make a genuine difference in other people’s lives.

Take to heart the beautiful message of today’s parable. Know and believe that you are God’s pearl of great price. Then go out into the world and act like you really know and believe it.