Offering his customary catechesis on the Sunday Gospel, Pope Francis spoke about Jesus’ parable of the merchant in search of precious pearls when upon finding one of great value, he goes and sells all he has to buy it.
The Pope then described three actions of the merchant that we also can put into practice in our own lives: he first seeks, then he finds, and finally he buys the precious pearl.
Seek with curiosity
The first action of the “enterprising merchant” to go out and seek precious pearls demonstrates his desire to “cultivate dreams of good” and search for something new, the Pope explained, as the merchant was not simply satisfied with what he already had, but knew there were even greater possibilities.
This curiosity and drive is what we need in seeking the “newness of the Lord, because the Lord is not repetitive” but always making “the realities of life new,” said the Pope.
Keep sharp eyes
While searching for the precious pearl, the merchant then finds what he is looking for, as he has a sharp eye and knows how to recognize a pearl of great value, the Pope went on to say.
He likened it to the person who goes through a fascinating oriental market full of a variety goods, carefully examining and discerning everything on display.
The Pope said this methodic process of careful discernment offers a teaching for us in that we also must discern what is good and precious.
He said we need to seek what matters and is of value for our lives, to train ourselves to see the “precious gems” of life from what is of no use or benefit.
“Let us not waste time and freedom on trivial things, pastimes that leave us empty inside, while life offers us every day the precious pearl of the encounter with God and with others!”
Embrace the discovery
The Pope then described the merchant’s last action when he buys the pearl, selling and sacrificing everything he has, as he realizes its immense value has to be “his only wealth, the meaning of his present and his future.”
This action speaks to us as well, the Pope explained, as we are invited to welcome the Lord Jesus, “the precious pearl of life, to be sought, found and made one’s own.”
The Pope said “when one encounters Christ, life changes” and finds ultimate meaning in the embrace of God’s love.
The ultimate Good of life
Summarizing the three actions of the wise merchant, the Pope said we should ask ourselves what we really seek in life and whether we are making an effort to search for God and do good.
He then suggested we practice discernment on what is truly good and comes from God and what leaves us empty and needs to be put aside.
Finally, the Pope suggested we look at our own lives and ask if we have given up everything to make the Lord the center of our lives, our greatest good now and always.
In conclusion, he asked the Blessed Virgin Mary to help us seek, find, and welcome the Lord into our lives with all our heart.
World Youth Day prayers
After leading the recitation of the Angelus, the Pope asked everyone to accompany him with their prayers for his journey to Portugal starting on Wednesday, 2 August, where he will preside over World Youth Day celebrations in Lisbon.
“A great many young people, from all continents, will experience the joy of the encounter with God and with their brothers and sisters, guided by the Virgin Mary, who after the annunciation “arose and went with haste” (Lk 1:39). I entrust the World Youth Day pilgrims and all young people of the world to Her, shining star of the Christian path.”
Thaddeus Jones
