Great Pearl

The WORD today reminds me that I should be ready to give up everything for God. 

When I was in college, our chapel was named PGP chapel or Pearl of Great Price Chapel. initially I did not understand why it was named that way. Why a pearl? Why not Jesus, Mary, Joseph or one of the saints? Why is it valuable? Then when I came across the gospel, I understood why.

In the gospel, one would do anything to have the pearl of great price. One would sell everything to have the pearl of great price. Being valuable, having it comes with a great price. The price may be great and expensive, but it is reasonable and most importantly, attainable. That is why the people sold everything they had to be able to get hold of the treasure and the pearl. They found it worth their while that they were willing to let go of everything they had - all their possessions and their current treasures, to have the new found treasure.

This is what God wants from us, the readiness and willingness to give up anything and everything once we get to know Him. God wants us to let go of all the sins, of all the worldly attachments we are holding on to, so we can attain life with Him. so he can give us new life. God wants us to see him as worthy enough for us to give up everything we currently have just to have him.

We see this in the first reading. Solomon realized how important and precious God is. He wants to serve God the best way he can. He wants to serve God the way God deserves to be served. That is why when asked, Solomon did not ask for treasures, for money or power. He asked for wisdom to know what God wants. God took delight in him and gave him what he asked for. 

What do I value most in life? What are the important aspects of my life? Do I value God in my life? In what way? Is my life a testament of the value of God for me? How can I concretely tell him I love and value him? 

May we find it in our heart to see God as that pearl of great price, and be willing to give up everything just for Him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Sunday. Thank you for the reminder and challenge. Thank you for another day to feel your love. Lord, sorry for the times I don't give you the importance that you deserve. May I see you like the how people in the gospel saw the treasures. May I recognize you. I pray that I would always seek you. May my heart always beat for you. may I always be ready and willing to give up everything worldly for you. and as I serve you, may I give you my best, because you deserve nothing less. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

July 26, 2020

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time; Saint Joachim and Saint Anne

FIRST READING

1 Kings 3:5, 7–12

The LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.” Solomon answered: “O LORD, my God, you have made me, your servant, king to succeed my father David; but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act. I serve you in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong. For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?”

The LORD was pleased that Solomon made this request. So God said to him: “Because you have asked for this— not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right— I do as you requested. I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you.”

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 119:57, 72, 76–77, 127–128, 129–130 (97a)

R. Lord, I love your commands. 

I have said, O LORD, that my part is to keep your words. The law of your mouth is to me more precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces. 

R. Lord, I love your commands. 

Let your kindness comfort me according to your promise to your servants. Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight. 

R. Lord, I love your commands. 

For I love your commands more than gold, however fine. For in all your precepts I go forward; every false way I hate. 

R. Lord, I love your commands. 

Wonderful are your decrees; therefore I observe them. The revelation of your words sheds light, giving understanding to the simple. 

R. Lord, I love your commands.

SECOND READING

Romans 8:28–30

Brothers and sisters:

We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified.

ALLELUIA

see Matthew 11:25

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; for you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL

Longer Form Matthew 13:44–52

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. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.

“Do you understand all these things?” They answered, “Yes.” And he replied, “Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.” 

or: 

Shorter Form Matthew 13:44–46

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.”