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| Sea of Galilee |
Jesus said to his disciples:
“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 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.”
Matthew 13: 45-46
My brothers and sisters in Christ, our faith is indeed a treasure beyond compare; it is the pearl of great price. It is a gift from the Lord to be communicated in turn to others: communicated by authentic witness through our action for justice and peace, communicated by explicit proclamation and through the teaching of catechism and hymns and prayers, communicated by all the members of the Church when they fulfill their personal vocations with a deep sense of joy. With hearts grateful for this gift of our faith, let us seek always to serve the Lord in a spirit of love, holiness and peace.
And through the fidelity of our Christian lives let us proclaim that Jesus is Lord!
His Holiness Pope John Paul II
Homily, Lagos (Nigeria
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/homilies/1982/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_19820212_lagos-nigeria_en.html
In all cultures and at all times - certainly in the midst of today's global transformations - people ask the same basic questions about the meaning of life: Who am I? Where have I come from and where am I going? Why is there evil? What is there after this life? (cf. Fides et Ratio, 1). And in every age the Church offers the one ultimately satisfying answer to the deepest questions of the human heart - Jesus Christ himself, "who fully reveals man to himself and brings to light his high calling" (Gaudium et spes, 22). Therefore, the voice of Christians can never fall silent, for the Lord has entrusted to us the word of salvation for which every human heart longs. The Gospel offers the pearl of great price for which all are searching (cf. Matthew 13:45-46).
Holiness Pope John Paul II
Message for the 35th World Communications Day, 2001
The Apostolic Lady has been blessed to meet some amazing women of faith during years of service to the Universal Church
The first lady is almost always seen wearing pearls. This special lady inspires others, particularly young women and girls, with the witness of her deep faith. She is strengthened by the Holy Eucharist, spends time in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and is devoted to our Blessed Mother Mary. She speaks clearly on Church teaching in light of the contemporary moral challenges we face. However, she is often asked by little girls if she “really was born a princess,” to which she replies: “Yes, but you were born a princess, too! God is your Father, and God is King of Kings, so that makes you a princess, too.”
The second lady also wears her pearls frequently because as she said, “there is no point in keeping them only for certain occasions when I should be able to enjoy wearing them all of the time.” She generously shares her musical talents and her liturgical expertise to enhance worship for countless people. Her faith, fidelity and attention to detail assure that all will have the opportunity to draw closer to the Lord in prayer and song.
The third lady makes pearls, or, in her words, “I aggravate people into doing very good things… like a grain of sand in an oyster… that little nagging bit that makes a pearl.” Her enthusiasm for the faith is contagious: she is a spirit-filled Catholic evangelist. An energetic and encouraging leader, this lady inspires others to do amazing things they never imagined doing—all for the glory of God!
At times it may seem like we are searching for the “pearl” and we need to look to Sacred Scripture, seek our Lord in the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist, and humbly ask for the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary. When we do find the “pearl of great price,” how do we help others—each and every day--to find or grow in the Faith which Christ has entrusted to us?
Prayer Request:
Please pray for the return to full health of the Most Reverend Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America
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