Extol the LORD, our God, and worship at his footstool; holy is he! Holy is the Lord our God.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 13:44-46, today's readings).

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."

The two short parables Jesus shares with the disciples communicate the nature of the kingdom of heaven and reveal its effect on the person who finds it. Jesus mentions twice that it is found and twice he says that the person sells all he has in order to buy it. To the one who finds it, the kingdom of heaven is the treasure that renders all else worthless; it is the one investment that yields joy in this life and unending security in heaven. The kingdom of heaven is right now and yet to be; it is far above on God's holy mountain and in the deepest recesses of our hearts.

God, in the parables of the buried treasure and the pearl of great price, I see Jesus express two types of encounters with the kingdom of heaven. A treasure might be stumbled upon or found after years of searching; the pearl is found after a lifetime of learning the worth of other pearls. By your grace, Lord, the kingdom of heaven is pure gift to the one who hopes in you or actively seeks you out. And what you have to give, you have made known generously through your Son. Throughout the day, help me call to mind the Gospel acclamation with joy: "I call you my friends, says the Lord, for I have made known to you all that the Father has told me."

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.