This week again, we see Our Lord’s wisdom at work with another Parable about the Kingdom of Heaven.  “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 the 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. In today’s parables we have an either/or decision to make.  To obtain The Kingdom of heaven we must be willing to give up everything or if we don’t, we risk losing the kingdom of heaven and everything.

We have a decision to make.  We live in troubling times and amidst it all, we do not control nearly as much as what happens in our lives as we think.  Nevertheless, we all have an important decision to make.  Maybe if we could, we would go back in time and change some of the decisions we made along our life’s journey, maybe not.  Maybe if we could go back in time, we would bet on things differently or accept an offer we let pass us by, maybe not.  But today you have an offer that is infinitely better.  I say infinite in the literal sense.  Take what you have what you are and bet it all on Jesus.  If you fear your life will be empty without all the stuff and personal things you have and like to do, let me just say: "Your life already is empty, but sell those things now, and you will obtain something of real value.  The price of the pearl is fixed: everything.

We must all ask ourselves whether we are living in God’s kingdom or not.  Do we sacrifice our comfort and convenience for the sake of those around us?  Does our work add value to the value of human life around us?  Do our choices, our attitudes, and our decisions contribute to the well being of those around us?  Do we give life and add to life, or do we drain it out of others?  Do we give joy to others, or do we ignore them or even cause them unhappiness?

The hidden treasure and the precious pearl are nothing other than Jesus himself.  It is as if, with these words, Jesus wished to say: Salvation has come to you freely, by God's initiative.  Make a decision, take advantage of the opportunity, and do not let it escape from you.  It is the time to decide.

If we fail to seek the Kingdom, we might find ourselves on the wrong path and wishing for the things that do not give true life, but take it away.  For the Kingdom presents us with a new moral order, where the will of God is operative in this world and all people will be working in God’s peace given to us through Jesus.  Jesus offers the invitation to come into the Kingdom to saints and sinners alike; to those who society accepts and to those who are considered outcasts.  What is needed to purchase the field and the pearl of great price is Conversion; conversion which is a desire to do the will of God, to love God with all our heart and soul, and to share that love with others, and be willing to forgive as God forgives us.  All we need is to say yes to God, and wish like Solomon.

One final thought.  Jesus detested injustice; He hated unfairness; He was revolted by sickness, deformity and disease.  He set His face against oppressors.  When the Prince of Darkness, our Ancient Enemy and the Father of Lies tempted Him to do things other than in God’s ways, He stood His ground.  When Pilate condemned Him, Jesus stood in simple silence, grounded as He was in His Father’s kingdom.  Jesus is the hidden treasure, the fine pearl, the Kingdom of God.  How lucky we are to have been called to the Lord’s table to be with Him.

And now, …