“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.” The Gospel of the Lord. (Mt. 13: 46)
searching for fine pearls.
When he finds a pearl of great price,
he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.” The Gospel of the Lord. (Mt. 13: 46)
It hit me like a ton of
bricks. Okay, that’s an exaggeration. In fact it was much lighter and more
appealing than bricks falling adversely against me. It was more like a soft
glow illuminating a hidden corner. This is the Gospel of the Lord. That He who
goes searching for fine pearls, when he finds a pearl of great price he goes
and sells all that he has and buys it. Could anything be truer than this as a
synopsis of the Gospel, the good news?
Do you know your
invaluable worth? Do you know not only your dignity but the source of your
dignity? You are worthy; you are precious; you are enough. “We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures. We are the sum of the
Father’s love for us and our real capacity to become the image of his Son,” St.
John Paul the Great reminds us. The
Gospel and this great Saint call us to recognize the price, the sacrifice,
Christ paid so that we might know the truth and depth of His love. “All of us like sheep have gone
astray, each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the
iniquity of us all to fall on Him. (Is 53:6)” He the suffering and blameless
servant paid the greatest price, His very life, so that you might know the love
of the Father and that you might have eternal life. “Conversion is the re-experience of God’s mercy.”
From hoyte-toyte Bronxville to the
graffiti lined streets of the Bronx, He who was nailed amongst the cross, who
bleeds His saving love, resounds His hymn of sacrificial love. For the Good Shepard
goes in search of the one. Maybe you’re wandering; He’s looking. Maybe you’re
floundering, He’s anchoring. Maybe you’re striving, He’s waiting. Let it go.
Whatever you think you are or are not, the question that really matters most is
do you know the price He paid and the love He has for you – not your neighbor
or sister – but for you. He loves with a personal love and He beckons and He
calls. By the blood He shed may we more firmly know and trust His plans are
good (Jer. 29:11) and that He allows all things to work for those who love Him
(Rom. 8:28). It’s easy to get caught up in what’s not going right. Yet, that is
a choice. You can choose your faith or your fears. You can focus on problems or
solutions, the darkness or the light that shines in the darkness. Let us look
to the saints, the shining lights who reflect the light of Christ. Let us do
the same bearing His imprint and image. Shine on!
Verso l’alto,
K Coop
K Coop
Get your shine On
Your great love will
lead me through
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