July 30, 2023

Sister Clare Carr, OSB shares a reflection on the scripture readings: 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12; Romans 8:28-30; Matthew 13:44-52

Jesus said to his disciples, “The kingdom of God is like treasure hidden in a field, which one found and covered up, then in their joy they go and sell all that they have and buy the field. The kingdom of God is like a merchant in search of the fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great price, went and sold all that they had and bought it!”

Anne Osdieck writes in St. Louis Sunday Liturgy,

“What

is the pearl

of great price?

A Mercedes,

a portfolio, and oil well,

honor and praise and awards,

kingship over everything we survey?

Or could it be

no walls: all peoples brothers and sisters,

clean air, water, and food for everyone?

Neighbor serving neighbor?

Dinner with friends?

A kind word?

Finding

God

in all

things?

Lord,

give

us the wisdom

to know real treasure.”

It has taken me a while to know and embrace real treasure. Over 50 years ago I heard the call of our God to follow in this way of life. A life at first that I didn’t want, but I had a God far more persistent. A God who pursued me. The deeper truth is that God had my heart from the time that I was in Junior High. Truly the call of my God has been graced with love, joy, and spirit. I have known a God of great forgiveness, a God of expansion. Expanding my heart to embrace men and women of all faiths, cultures, gender identities and political persuasion. Not that it has been easy, but the deeper part of me has only known peace when I listen to the heart of our loving God

As we hear in the second reading: “All things work unto the good for those who love God.” God has done a work in me. May our deepest longing be for God. And God alone. May we become holy people.

          As J. Janda says in her poem in St. Louis Sunday Liturgy

“In our deepest selves,

if we can enter

there,

we may discover

a peace

and a goodness,

a gentleness

and a hope.

Christ

in our deepest selves.

We may discover

a desire,

a most inner

desire,

that what we want is

to do God’s will

and that this desire

is all we can really

know or be sure of

about ourselves.

Yet it is enough, it is a grace