Reading
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."
Reflection
Praised be Jesus Christ! In the Gospel the Church places before us today, we see many great analogies for the Kingdom of Heaven. However, in order to believe in the Kingdom of Heaven, we need to have the great gift of faith.
Faith is, according to the Catechism, a "virtue by which we believe in God and believe all that he has said and revealed to us, and that Holy Church proposes for our believe" (CCC 1814). When one receives that gift, there is great joy, so much joy that, he "sells all that he has"(Mt 13:46). It is a joy that is unquenchable.
However, as the Epistle of St. James states "Faith without works is dead."(2:26). Therefore, our belief in God must also be active through works of charity.
Today and always, let us reflect on where Christ is calling us to serve Him and His Church, so that we can experience this tremendous joy and echo the words of the psalmist "Lord, I love your commands" (Ps 119:97)!
As always, know of my prayers before Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament!
+Bishop Schlert
