I have found over the years that there are some folks in church or in loving communities who are simply radiant and a joy to be with. I’m sure you might have also observed this.
I’ve also seen many who have gone through a lot of challenges and troubles in their life, and their faces were darkened. Perhaps it’s not just the wear and tear of living their lives, but also that God was far from them. Either they did not know Him or they had sinned against Him and never knew that He still loved them.
These same folks, having discovered or rather after having encountered our Lord Jesus Christ, had their darkness lifted from them. They too had become radiant and joyful because the peace of our Lord had entered into their hearts and lives.
This is what it means to have found treasure in the field and going out to sell everything just to purchase it, or to find a pearl of such value that we are willing to forego everything just for that pearl.
Jesus is that field. Jesus is that pearl. Jesus, I have found you and I love you.
Amen.
Saint Peter Chrysologus, Bishop, Pray for us…
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First reading
Exodus 34:29-35
Moses passes on to the people the orders given by the Lord
When Moses came down from the mountain of Sinai – as he came down from the mountain, Moses had the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands – he did not know that the skin on his face was radiant after speaking with the Lord. And when Aaron and all the sons of Israel saw Moses, the skin on his face shone so much that they would not venture near him. But Moses called to them, and Aaron with all the leaders of the community came back to him; and he spoke to them. Then all the sons of Israel came closer, and he passed on to them all the orders that the Lord had given him on the mountain of Sinai. And when Moses had finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. Whenever he went into the Lord’s presence to speak with him, Moses would remove the veil until he came out again. And when he came out, he would tell the sons of Israel what he had been ordered to pass on to them, and the sons of Israel would see the face of Moses radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he returned to speak with the Lord.
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Gospel
Matthew 13:44-46
He sells everything he owns and buys the field
Jesus said to the crowds: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes off happy, sells everything he owns and buys the field.
‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls; when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it.’
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