Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of Matthew (13: 44-46) in which Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to hidden treasure and to a pearl of great value.

In today’s Gospel, Fr Paul says, we have two little parables, and both emphasise that, yes, we may have difficulties in our lives, but it is all worth it in the end.  The followers of Jesus are being taught that the kingdom is worth everything.

We know the disciples were reluctant to accept the message of suffering and this gives us an insight into the lives of the first Christians.  To become a Christian might be to lose their jobs; they might be to lose their friends; it might lead to persecution and suffering.

The feature of both these little parables is, ‘sell everything he owned’ and so the lesson today is that despite the difficulties and suffering that we might encounter in our lives, it is all worth it in the end.