Friday, August 10, 2012

the pearl

Jesus said: The Kingdom of the Father is like a merchant with goods to sell who found a pearl. The merchant was thoughtful. He sold the merchandise and bought himself the pearl. Saying 76a, The Gospel of Thomas.

The pearl was more valuable to the man than his merchandise. Merchandise comes and goes, the pearl is to keep. The pearl comes with a price however.

Jesus says the man "found" a pearl and one might think that would mean he stumbled upon it and thus it automatically was his. No. He had to rid himself of what was less valuable to obtain what was most valuable. He did not do this spontaneously. He thought about it. Then, after coming to a decision, "he sold the merchandise and bought himself the pearl."

What is the pearl? What is this that is of more value than anything else? Our own soul.

We can see that it is not our own. It is bought with a price. One price has already been paid by That which brings our soul into existence. Now it is our turn to pay a price. The soul we are is price worthy, is price-ious, precious.

The steps are simple. (1) We see the preciousness of our soul, of the soul we are. (2) We give up all we possess, all we cling to, to have it.

Would you "gain the whole world and lose your own soul?"

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