Barb Spies, OFS, Director of Mission Services and Pastoral Care

The Gospel according to St. Matthew has a lengthy discussion of the Kingdom of God. What does it look like? Who will be there? Jesus says much about that in the Chapter 13 of this Gospel. It’s a treasure. It’s a pearl of great price. It’s where the righteous will be.

I was at Pier 39 in San Francisco. Our family always made sure to visit there when we were seeing family in the Bay Area. Our favorite part was the sea lions who could be found lounging in the sun on the various docks around the pier. The shops are filled with all kinds of items: silly socks, chocolate, touristy trinkets, posters, clothing, cards, books, and jewelry. One small shop had oysters. The patron would pick an oyster. The shop employee would open the oyster for the pearl inside, and create a jewelry piece right there for you. My mom bought me a pearl there one time, a beautiful, tiny, flawless orb. I’ve thought about the reference of a pearl of great price to the Kingdom of God since then.   

It’s hard to imagine the place Jesus is describing with so many different metaphors. But, the descriptions allow us to take a moment to consider what we see right now that could match that. How am I seeing the Kingdom of God in people right now? Those who treat others with kindness, who truly love all of God’s children, show me glimpses of the Kingdom. Those who show compassion for those in need, who take time to visit, to care for, to aid those requiring assistance, are the Kingdom. Those who give to allow others to share in their abundance are the righteous right here and now. 

I am glad that those traveling with Jesus as he ministered to others weren’t really sure what his words meant at first. Jesus explained in many different ways so that we might gain a clearer picture of what he meant. The parables offered images and examples to ground us fully in God’s love for us. A friend of mine started a job at Marquette University last year. She has been so pleased to be part of a new caring community. A theme of the university during her first year was “en todo amar y servir,” to love and serve in everything. This sums up who she aspires to be. And isn’t that what it means to be part of the Kingdom of God? To love and serve in everything.

Blessed Angela: “To love is to give … quickly, without regret, joyfully, desiring only that more should be demanded of us.”