The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today offer a meditation on the role of shining examples in our transformation on our journey.
Priceless example
The reading from the Book of Exodus shows the shining face of Moses as he meets with God.
* [34:29] Radiant: the Hebrew word translated “radiant” is spelled like the term for “horns.” Thus the artistic tradition of portraying Moses with horns.1
Psalm 99 offers praise to God for His Holiness.
* [Psalm 99] A hymn to God as the king whose grandeur is most clearly seen on Mount Zion (Ps 99:2) and in the laws given to Israel (Ps 99:4). Israel is special because of God’s word of justice, which was mediated by the revered speakers, Moses, Aaron, and Samuel (Ps 99:6–8). The poem is structured by the threefold statement that God is holy (Ps 99:3, 5, 9) and by the twice-repeated command to praise (Ps 99:5, 9).2
In the Gospel of Matthew more parables share the priceless nature of the Kingdom of God.
* [13:44–50] The first two of the last three parables of the discourse have the same point. The person who finds a buried treasure and the merchant who finds a pearl of great price sell all that they have to acquire these finds; similarly, the one who understands the supreme value of the kingdom gives up whatever he must to obtain it. The joy with which this is done is made explicit in the first parable, but it may be presumed in the second also. 3
Eileen Wirth imagines being a friend of Francis of Assisi and she shares that memories of the mature Francisco haunt her. Although he had given up everything, he was so much more joyful than when he was carousing through Assisi. What can we, ordinary people, learn from him?
I’ll never give up my comfortable life but I’m happiest when I’m sharing my good fortune with others. I’ll leave my possessions behind when I die anyhow so why not start now? Sometimes I give money to a beggar who will likely waste my gift on cheap wine. But I feel Francisco smiling at my seemingly foolish gesture. I try to be kind to others even when I don’t feel like it. I think Francisco sold his life for a whole field of buried treasure while mine is a small garden plot. But it’s better than nothing.4
Don Schwager quotes “Finding the pearl of great price,” by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD).
"Now among the words of all kinds that profess to announce truth, and among those who report them, he seeks pearls. Think of the prophets as, so to speak, the pearls that receive the dew of heaven and become pregnant with the word of truth from heaven. They are goodly pearls that, according to the phrase here set forth, the merchant seeks. And the chief of the pearls, on the finding of which the rest are found with it, is the very costly pearl, the Christ of God, the Word that is superior to the precious letters and thoughts in the law and the prophets. When one finds this pearl all the rest are easily released. Suppose, then, that one is not a disciple of Christ. He possesses no pearls at all, much less the very costly pearl, as distinguished from those that are cloudy or darkened." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 18.8)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 13:44-46 comments that this treasure doesn’t accumulate randomly throughout our life, and it isn’t held in trust for later. It’s all available, not at some future date when we step out of mortal life into eternity, but today. But here’s the catch: we might have to “sell” something to acquire it.
God, and the unlimited riches he holds for us, are worth any cost. So don’t ever hesitate to tap into this treasure—and be willing to “sell” something to obtain it! Seek patience when you’re stretched to the limit by a headstrong child by “selling” your right to respond in anger. Tap into God’s wisdom and insight when you’re facing a difficult situation by forgoing your time in front of the television and spending it instead in prayer. Seek generosity when your own plans for the day are upended by letting go of a “me-first” attitude. Grab onto hope when you become discouraged by the distressing things going on around you, and focus instead on the goodness of God.6
Friar Jude Winkler comments that like Moses, our encounter with God causes a change that keeps us from returning to our former life. He cites the effect of Cape Breton miner, Josh, on his co-workers after a Cursillo experience. Friar Jude reminds us to open our arms, drop everything, and surrender to embrace Love.
Barbara Holmes sees lamentation as a healing practice in the midst of crisis contemplation.
We witness the change that surrender to priceless Love makes in people as we open ourselves to transformation in the Spirit.
References
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