THE
KINGDOM OF GOD
The parables of the Hidden treasure
and Fine Pearl tell us we ought to value the gospel above all
things. We must strip ourselves of everything else and cling
to the gospel but, also, that we are to do it with joy. For
when a man is dispossessing himself of his goods, he is to know that
the transaction is a gain and not a loss.
The Gospel meaning is as if hidden;
one must search to find it. And, except thou sell all, thou
buyest not. Your soul must be in a state of anxious inquiry;
otherwise, thou findest not. Having found the treasure, you
must BUY it by complete abstinence from worldly goods and
watchfulness. "One seeking the goodly pearl. . . when he
saw, he sold all and bought it." He knows the pearl would
enrich him. But others know NOT. Many times they are
holding it in their hands; they are ignorant of its
wealth.
There are many ways by which one
can lose his soul. One can be rocky ground, or ground with
thorny bush or wayside soul . . . they lose their soul because the
word of God couldn't grow in their souls. One may lose his
soul by choosing wicked doctrines, like the Tares or cockles. Others
can lose their souls by living a wicked life as represented by the
fishes caught in the net but later on thrown away into the
fire. The tragedy is that they learned the doctrines, they
were caught inside the net of the Catholic Church but still thrown
away to be burnt. "Broad is the way that leadeth to
destruction and many there be which go away by it."
And there is only one narrow way to
go to heaven, i.e. throuth humility which, like a good scribe, one
can learn both from the Old and New Testaments. "Blessed
are the humble (poor in spirit) for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven." "Unto whom shall I look, but unto him that
is meek and humble and trembles at my words." "Mine
eyes are upon the meek of the earth." Humility is the mother of
wisdom. If a man has this, he will save all the rest.
St. John Chrysostom, Hom. XLVII "On
Matthew"
(03-08-04)
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