Homily for Wednesday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time

Sometimes, we come across something valuable, even when we're not actively looking for it. A precious gift or a significant person can enter our lives without us trying to make it happen. It may be a sudden realization or insight that appears when we are relaxing and not focused on anything in particular.

In the first parable from today's Gospel, a day laborer discovers a treasure while working in someone else's field. He decides to sell all he has to purchase that field and obtain the unexpected treasure.

In the second parable, a wealthy merchant is on a quest for the finest pearl and eventually finds it. He is willing to sell everything he owns to acquire it.

Jesus compares the kingdom of God to these two human experiences. Sometimes, God blesses us when we least expect it. Other times, we must actively seek God and put in the effort to find Him. Jesus encourages us to persist in our search, to keep seeking, asking, and knocking, just as the wealthy merchant did. When God blesses us, we must be prepared to give up whatever is necessary to receive and hold onto the gift of the kingdom.