Homily 17th Sunday Ordinary Time July 27, 2014

Ooh, baby, do you know what that's worth ?
Ooh, heaven is a place on earth
They say in heaven love comes first
We'll make heaven a place on earth
Ooh, heaven is a place on earth

I'm wondering if Belinda Carlise was thinking about this Gospel when she performed this hit in 1987.  I guess I'll never really know.  We are always searching for something of value?  We buy lottery tickets in hopes of a big payday and we watch TV programs like Antique Road Show and daydream of having some great treasure in our attic or garage.




As people of faith we know that Jesus Christ is our great treasure and our pearl of great price!


Continuing the teachings of Jesus by parable in Matthew 13 we hear that the kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure in a field and a pearl of great price.  So great are these treasures that those who found them sell everything to make sure they hold on to them.  For us that ultimate treasure, that pearl of great price is Jesus Christ.  When we fully realize this we too are called to give up everything and follow Jesus we enjoy relationship with Him.  We learn from this parable that the kingdom is so generous in value.  We learn from this parable that the teachings of Christ, found today in His Holy Word and the deposit of faith safeguarded by His Holy Catholic Church, are the key to the Kingdom of Heaven.  The Kingdom is worth so much that we must forsake everything, if necessary, to enter that Kingdom.


Just these past few weeks, we have been given 21st century evidence of this very Gospel.  For the Christian living in Mosul, Iraq and across that war-torn and beleaguered land they have found that great treasure and that pearl of great price in their faith in Christ Jesus.  Despite horrifying persecution and incredible odds, these Christians cling with all that they have, to the point of death, incredibly cruel and horrifying deaths.  Like 2,000 years of martyrs, these Christians and many others across our world have stood witness to the faith, In Christ and His Catholic Church, the great treasure in the field and the pearl of great price.


Each and every week at Mass, and hopefully dozens of times during the week, we pray the Our Father and say in that prayer, given to us by Jesus directly, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.  Now make no mistake here, Heaven is a very real place, in fact they just released a beautiful movie entitled Heaven is for real.  Yes indeed, Heaven is for real and we all pray that Heaven is our final destination.  We all seek to be happy for eternity in Heaven, glimpsing the beatific vision of God the Father with His only Son, Our Savior Jesus Christ at His right hand.  Yet, on earth, as it is in Heaven is a reminder to all of us to live a life of great faith here and now.  It is a reminder to preach Christ here and now and to serve Christ here and now by serving our brother and sister, especially the marginalized and the poor and the persecuted, even those persecuted for their religious beliefs.  And as Catholics we glimpse Heaven every time we come to Holy Mass where Heaven reaches down to Earth and Earth stretches upward toward Heaven and simple of gifts of Bread and Wine become the Body and Blood of that treasure and pearl, Jesus Christ.  On earth as it is in Heaven!


In the week ahead, can we all commit to be in full prayerful solidarity with our Christian brothers and sisters in Iraq and elsewhere where their very lives are threatened because they refuse to lose their treasure and their pearl of great price?  In the week ahead, can we commit to helping one other person get closer to their treasure and pearl by lifting them up in a tangible act of kindness; an act of love that helps them grow closer to Christ?  In the week ahead, can I pray with these words: "my treasure Lord is your friendship, your intimate relationship with me and my pearl of great price are your sublime teachings, most excellently contained in your Holy Word and your Holy Catholic Church"?


I know dear Lord that you have made me for Heaven, I set my whole being on that goal, I trust in your Resurrection and I long for that day when I see you face to face.

Ooh, baby, do you know what that's worth ?
Ooh, heaven is a place on earth
They say in heaven love comes first
We'll make heaven a place on earth
 

On earth as it is in Heaven!  And Heaven indeed is our home!