God's Pearls

~~~ Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~~~

~~~ 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12 ~~~ Psalm 119 ~~~ Romans 8:28-30 ~~~ 

~~~ Matthew 13:44-52 ~~~

It might make you feel uncomfortable to think of yourself 

as the pearl of great price or as the treasure 

discovered in the field, but it it true.

You are this treasured pearl.

You are the one Jesus was willing to sacrifice all in order to buy.

...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. 

Jesus sacrifices more than material possessions

 to secure his precious pearls.

Jesus was willing to sacrifice his very life blood.

What have you sacrificed recently?

The great King Solomon was also one of God's precious pearls.

Solomon says, I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act. 

How do you act with appreciation in response

 to being considered a treasure?

Solomon asks God...

Give your servant, therefore, 

an understanding heart...

This is how he chose to respond to being God's treasure.

As we know he was granted great wisdom 

evident in the manner in which he governed the people for many years.

Paul tells the Romans and us...

We know that all things work for good for those who love God,

who are called according to his purpose. 

We should not be anxious about being called by God to work in his Kingdom.

For those whom he calls are the ones he considers to be great pearls.

The ones he calls he has often found buried in the field.

Once he finds us then we must allow him to work

us into his eternal plan of goodness.

Wherever you may find yourself in this parable of Jesus;

believe you are really there.

Believe that he willingly

 paid a great price for you.

Believe if he had it to do over again he would,

even if it was just to 'buy' you.

Blessed to be God's Pearls.

~~~Peace~~~