On the parable of the Pearl and the Net cast into the Sea

From  
Meditations on the Life of Our Lord 
by J. Nouet, S.J.


Sixteenth Week After Pentecost - Friday

1st Point. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like to a merchant seeking good pearls." (Matt, xiii. 45)

This precious pearl is the knowledge of Jesus Christ — the knowledge of the Saviour, the mystery of his passion, and the secret of his resurrection.  Again, the pearl is the love of Jesus Christ — the precious pearl, without which all other treasures are worthless, whilst the possession of this alone fully satisfies every desire of the human heart.  Let your spirit resemble refined gold by the fervour of charity, and the practice of the most exalted virtues, in order that it may be worthy to enshrine the evangelic pearl.

2nd Point. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like to a merchant seeking good pearls. Who, when he had found pearl of great price, went his way, and sold all that he had, and bought it." (Matt., xiii.45, 46) The great occupation of a Christian is to seek the precious pearl of the gospel, and purchase it at any price whatsoever.  Did you understand its value you would make no difficulty of renouncing all things for gaining it.  His is a wise merchant who exchanges that which he cannot long enjoy for a treasure including all that can be desired, and one beyond the vicissitudes and accidents to which temporal possessions are subject.  It suffices not to give all for the possession of Jesus Christ; you should, moreover, give it joyfully, that whatever you give, you will always gain infinitely more.

3rd Point. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like to a net cast into the sea, and gathering together of all kind of fishes.  Which, when it was filled, they drew out, and sitting by the shore, they chose out the good into vessels, but the bad they cast forth.  So shall it be at the end of the world." (Matt., xiii. 47, 48, 49)  The religious state affords a peculiar facility to find and preserve the evangelic pearl, that is, the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ.  The worldly man has neither leisure nor opportunity to acquire the knowledge and love.  There are, indeed, saints in every state in the Church, who know and love Jesus Christ with their whole heart; but he warns us in the parable that in his Church there are both good and bad. "So shall it be at the end of the world.  The angels shall go out, and shall separate the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matt., xiii. 49, 50)  Labour now with vigilance, seeking the precious pearl of the love of Jesus, that on the day of final retribution you may enter into the peace and joy of the blessed.