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From: William J . . .
To: Donald . . .
Sent: Sun, 24 July, 2011 14:01:37
Subject: Matthew 13:44-52 and pearls of wisdom
Dear Father Donald,
Last week, by kind providence, when passing a charity bookshop window I saw and purchased a worn (ex-library) copy of Joachim Jeremias' "The Parables of Jesus", recognizing his name from quotes in Pope Benedict's book "Jesus of Nazareth", and in Sacra Pagina - like finding pearls of wisdom! (only at the cost of depleted groceries).
Whilst skirting the very learned analysis of the Hebrew / Greek / Latin texts, I am yet delighting in the Solomon-like wisdom of his interpretation of the first two parables in today's Gospel: here writing of the finders of the hidden treasure and of 'a specially valuable pearl' (page 199-201) -
"When that great joy, surpassing all measure, seizes a man, it carries him away, penetrates his inmost being, subjugates his mind. All else seems valueless compared with that surpassing worth. No price is too great to pay. The unreserved surrender of what is most valuable becomes a matter of course. The decisive thing in the twin parable is not what the two men give up, but the reason for their doing so; the overwhelming experience of the splendour of their discovery. Thus it is with the Kingdom of God. The effect of the joyful news is overpowering; it fills the heart with gladness; it makes life's whole aim the consumation of the divine community and produces the most whole-hearted self-sacrifice."
Hidden treasure indeed!
. . . in Our Lord,
William
Dear William,
Many thanks for the pearl of Wisdom.
has been standing beside our Sacra Pagina.
For the Mass Introduction today I was dipping in the sea waves of the parables :
"These Sundays we have touched on the seven (or eight) parables, the great chapter of Matthew 13, 'the day of parables' has its pivotal significance.
It is the third of Jesus' five discourses.
This morning, the two parables are of the hidden treasure and the rare pearls.
As Origin, the great Father, says,
"To gain Christ, the pearl of great price, we must leave above all else. ...
It was a sight of beauty leading us to the glory of Christ to whom the Father bore witness in the words: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
"To gain Christ, the pearl of great price, we must leave above all else. ...
It was a sight of beauty leading us to the glory of Christ to whom the Father bore witness in the words: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
More to find . . .
Donald
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