WE ARE PEARLS IN GOD'S EYES - 7/27/22 (Wednesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time)

Matthew 13:45-46.

“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.”  

For the full readings, click here: 

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072722.cfm

For the summary of the teachings of the Catholic Church, click here:

https://www.catholic.com/tract/pillar-of-fire-pillar-of-truth

For the examination of conscience and guide to confession, click here:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/examination-of-conscience/

For more information on how to pray the rosary, click here:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/the-most-holy-rosary/

Blessed Wednesday! This parable is often understood rightly to refer to the fact that heaven is like a pearl which has a great price. If we truly know how happy and fulfilled will be when we become united with God forever in heaven, we will persevere in giving up everything that hinders our relationship with God. At the same time, there is another interesting way of pondering on this parable. As stated by our Lord Jesus, "the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls." The Kingdom of heaven is compared primarily to a merchant. Heaven is where God fully dwells, and as such, Jesus is also teaching us that God is also searching for us, who are truly precious like pearls in His eyes. 

In the short parable, the merchant finds the pearl, sells everything he has and buys it. This is something that we can truly see in the life and passion of our Lord Jesus Christ.   Despite the fact that we engaged in mortal sins which separated us from Him, He still chose to love us and be with us. He searched for us, especially by becoming like one of us in the incarnation of God the Son. The "sellin" of the merchant symbolized how Jesus gave up many things out of love for us. He chose to live in poverty, to be mocked,  and to die on the cross. Even though we are sinners, He calls us His friends. 

Sometimes, we may dwell on the idea that our life just seems to be meaningless. During these times, let's reject such temptations and turn to God because He is our refuge. He sees our worth, and He knows how precious we are. It's because we are created in His image, and our purpose in life, which will make us truly happy, is to love God and make Him loved. The real presence of Jesus in every Mass shows how much He loves us. Despite the fact that we are full of imperfections, He chooses to descend from heaven and to dwell in the tabernacle and heaven of our souls.

May we choose to love Him back and give up everything that hinders our love for Him. Let's tell Him how much we love Him, especially by adoring Him inside the Adoration Chapel, before the Tabernacle and even through Online Adoration in YouTube. Even after receiving Him in the Holy Communion, let's always remember that He is really inside of us, and let's praise Him and pray to Him. God reveals to us His will, most especially in the Scriptures. In preparation for the Mass, it is pleasing to God when we prepare our souls by reflecting on the gospel readings. We are His friends because we are precious in His eyes. 

Amen +

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

 

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic