Pearl of Great Price

Jesus said to his disciples:
“The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field,
which a person finds and hides again,
and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant
searching for fine pearls.
When he finds a pearl of great price,
he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”

Matthew 13:44-46

I love today's reading. This scripture has always had a special place in my heart. For me the Catholic church is my pearl of great price. I paid a great emotional price to become Catholic. I had been in the protestant church my entire life before this.  My journey to the Catholic church from the protestant church was not an easy one. The moment God revealed to me that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist nothing or no one was going to keep me from receiving Jesus in the Eucharist! I just knew that I had to become Catholic. Through the whole process of becoming Catholic God just kept telling me to keep going forward. And to be unafraid despite the many obstacles I had and still have.  I knew without a doubt that Catholic church is where God wanted me. God showed me a great pearl and I knew I had to sell everything to buy it!  

I am also very thankful for my protestant upbringing. I would not be who I am today without it. God molded me in the protestant church and gave me a firm foundation. And I am so thankful for that. But the Catholic church is home for me. It will always be my home. 

The Pearl is also my birthstone. Love that!

Pearls. In one of his most lovely and consoling thoughts, Shakespeare says: The liquid drops of tears that you have shed, Shall come again, transform’d to orient pearl, Advantaging their loan with interest Of ten times double gain of happiness.