Commentary of the Gospell

July 27, 2022

Amazing Grace

The two little parables seem identical, but they are not! In the first, the Kingdom is compared to the treasure that we chance upon. The one who finds it is not necessarily seeking for it, for he happens to stumble upon it. That is Grace working! In the second parable, we mistakenly compare the Kingdom to the pearl; but no, read again: The Kingdom is compared to the trader. He is actively searching for the finest pearls; once he finds them, he sells everything he has to buy them!  God in Christ is the trader, who is actively searching for the finest pearl—you and me; and upon finding us, he goes and sells all that he has, including his very life (cf. Phil. 2:5-11), to make us his own! If we find God by sheer Grace (first parable), God finds us at great cost to Himself (second parable). Can there be a greater Good News?

Paulson Veliyannoor, CMF - Claretian Publications Philippines