No Sacrifice is too Great

17^th Sunday (Mathew 13:44-46)

I.  Story:   Sacrifice is the thing

II.   Gospel:

-          here in the gospel, the twin parable about the treasurer seeker and the pearl merchant, make the same point.  No sacrifice is to great to achieve or acquire a certain goal.  Every goal demands total dedication and total commitment.

-          The treasure seeker sold everything he has to buy the field.

The pearl merchant sold everything he has to buy the pearl.

Pareho nilang ipinagbili ang lahat na meron sila, para makuha ang kanilang     gusto.

-          When you say commitment, it means “the giving of the self”.

Giving 100% of ourselves, not 50%  nor 80%  but 100%.

-          Thus if you think you have a goal or aim you have set for yourself (popularity, high rank/position, honor), you have to give 100%  of  yourself.

Eg. Kuya -  “No rest until victory” “Aim high”.

III.               Jesus makes another point:

-          Also in the  gospel, Jesus makes another point.

-           There is nothing wrong with setting goals and aiming high.  But there is another goal which surpasses all other goals, more valuable than any other earthly/worldly goals.  What is this goal?

 

-          The Kingdom of God ( kaharian/paghahari).  In biblical theology when we say “Kingdom of God” / “Reign of God”,  it usually refers to  the PRESENCE OF GOD – God’s presence.

-          Sinasabi natin ang isang tao ay pinaghaharian ng Diyos, kapag ang presence ng Diyos ay nasa kanya -   God’s presence is in him.

-          And for Jesus, no sacrifice is to great in order to posses this presence of God.

-          A person who truly sees the value of God, the value of the Kingdom would be willing to sacrifice anything, give up everything in order to posses it.

Eg. Like a lover – to his beloved na gagawin ang lahat just to please the beloved.

IV.                Conclusion:

-          mga kapatid, if we believe that God is the ultimate meaning, the ultimate value of our existence,  we will allow God to inspire and direct our lives.  And let God be at the center of our lives.

-          St. Augustine says, “ God created us for himself,  our hearts are made for God, and our hearts will be restless until they rest in God”.

-          Mga kapatid, there’s nothing wrong with setting “earthly goals”, and aiming high.  But let us not forget our ultimate and final goal, who is God himself, the presence of God in us.

-          Sa buhay natin, sa mundong ito napakarami nating hinahanap, because we are not content with what life is offering us. Pero isa lang talaga ang kailangan natin: God. The only thing we need in this life is God.