Reflection for July 30 Wednesday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 13:44-46

Gospel: Matthew 13:44-46

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.”

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Reflection:

The story is told of a wealthy man who gave up all his material possessions to serve in the Church. When asked why he made such a drastic choice, he simply replied: “I have found the greatest treasure and the most precious pearl that anyone can ever possess in this world—and that is Jesus.” Such a statement may sound foolish to the world—but to those who have tasted the goodness of the Lord, it rings with eternal truth. 

Every now and then, we hear heartbreaking news of rich, powerful, and famous people taking their own lives. And we are left wondering: Why would they do such a thing? From the outside, it seems like they had everything. Fame. Wealth. Influence. Comfort. But do they truly have everything? 

If they did, why would they choose to end their lives? Perhaps they had everything that this fleeting world could offer—but something eternal, something divine, was missing. And that missing piece is none other than the Kingdom of Heaven. 

Many of us long to be successful—to be wealthy, influential, or admired. And there’s nothing wrong with hard work and ambition. But even if we reach the top of the world, a silent emptiness can still echo within. A hunger that money cannot satisfy. A thirst that power cannot quench. 

What is this emptiness? Who is this missing piece in our hearts? It is Jesus. To encounter Him is to discover the treasure of all treasures—the pearl of great price. To find Him is to find the very reason we were created. 

But how can we find Jesus when our lives are cluttered with distractions? How can we hear His gentle voice when we are drowning in noise? How can we draw near to Him when we rarely enter the sacred silence where He speaks? 

How can we know Him if we seldom open the Scriptures—His living Word? How can we grow in love for Him if we neglect the Holy Mass, the source and summit of our faith? How can we truly encounter Him if we have become slaves to social media, entertainment, or worldly pursuits? 

Life is fragile. It could end when we least expect it. One day, sickness may knock. And one day—sooner than we think—our earthly journey may come to a close. 

When that moment comes, what will matter most? Will we be ready to meet the Lord face to face? Will we have found the One who gives life true meaning? Or will we leave this world still searching—empty-handed, soul-weary, and lost? 

The greatest treasure is not found in bank accounts, in fame, or in power. It is found in the person of Jesus Christ. Seek Him. Listen to Him. Love Him. For when you find Him, you find everything your heart has ever longed for. – Marino J. Dasmarinas