“Never being afraid of taking the risk of giving up everything, in order to gain that which is Priceless!”

(Based on Jer 15:10, 16-21 and Mt 13:44-46 – Wednesday of the 17th in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

This amazing incident is narrated of a man who had a lot of worldly ambitions and was gripped with seeking vain glory.

But an incident, wherein, he was bed-ridden, as a result of a leg injury, brought a transformation in his life.

Not finding any other books to read, he was handed over the “Life of Saints”, which made him to prompt himself to ask a question:
“Why am I using my life just for myself?

These people did so much good during their time on earth. Why can’t I?”

This man was at the “bored and unexcited” phase of his life…
… yet the Lord would use “that” situation, to bring a transformation in his life and helped him to discovered “the pearl of great price!”

This amazing person is St Ignatius of Loyola – the founder of the Society of Jesus – the Jesuit Fathers…
… whose feast we celebrate today!

Maybe, like St Ignatius of Loyola, many of us are also going through a “bored and unexcited” phase of our life…
… feeling uncertain about the future
… experiencing worry about the past
… troubled by the anxieties of the present.

Yet, the Lord is with us…
… waiting to be discovered as the Greatest Treasure!

The Gospel of the Day are the twin parables of Jesus about the Kingdom of God being compared to a “priceless fortune” being discovered.

A man finding a treasure in a field (Mt 13: 44-45)
A merchant finding a pearl of great price (Mt 13:46)

One of the common thought-pattern exhibited in both these parables is the following factor:
“The risk of giving up everything, in order to gain that which is priceless!”

The man on finding the treasure in the field…
… takes the risk of selling everything, in order to buy the treasure, which was priceless

The merchant on finding the precious pearl…
… takes the risk of selling all that he had, in order to possess the pearl, which was priceless.

The pages of the Bible narrate this pattern: “The risk of giving up everything, in order to gain that which is priceless!”…

… St Joseph risks listening to the voice of the Angel, and taking Mary as his wife – in order to provide a home for the Son of God – a priceless responsibility!

… St Peter risks giving up his boats and fishing nets – in order to follow Jesus – a priceless vocation!

… Zacheaus risks inviting Jesus into his home and doing away with his riches – in order to obtain salvation – a priceless reward!

… St Paul risks doing away with his former ways of persecuting Christianity and preaching to the Gentiles, instead – in order to win many souls- a priceless way of life!

“Nothing worthwhile is ever achieved playing it safe, and sticking to the familiarity of the known!”

Are we ready to take this risk…?

… risk doing away with our sinful ways, in order to live a new life in Christ?

… risk giving up some undue attachments, in order to allow the Lord to possess our hearts?

… risk removing some unwelcome addictions, in order to allow the Spirit of God to work in us?

Jesus, the Priceless Fortune deserves our best!

Let us not be afraid to “take the risk.”

This act of “taking a risk” will surely win for us “The Pearl of Great Price!”

Let our faith-life always remind us:
“Unless you recognize and give up the fake things of life…
… you can never possess the real treasures of life!”

What is needed is our self-giving…
… little and small as we are: let us offer our lives to the Lord
… broken and disturbed as we are: let us give ourselves to the Lord

May the beautiful prayer St Ignatius of Loyola, echo in our hearts as well:
“O my God, teach me to be generous, teach me to serve you as I should…
… to give without counting the cost,
… to fight without fear of being wounded,
… to work without seeking rest,
…. to labour without expecting any reward,
… but the knowledge that I am doing your most holy will.”

Yes, let us “never be afraid of taking the risk of giving up everything, in order to gain that which is Priceless!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – GRACE AND JUSTIFICATION

With regard to God, there is no strict right to any merit on the part of man.
Between God and us there is an immeasurable inequality…

… for we have received everything from him, our Creator. (CCC # 2007)