In this very brief parable, Jesus captivates the imagination of his listeners. Everyone knew the value of pearls which, along with gold, were the most precious things one could possess.

In addition, the Scriptures spoke of wisdom, that is, of the knowledge of God as something that "could not be likened to any priceless gem" (Wis 7:9).

But what emerges in the parable is the description of an exceptional, surprising and unexpected event: the merchant caught sight of a pearl, perhaps in a bazaar, which only his expert eye could see had enormous value. From it he could derive considerable profit. This is why, after an accurate calculation, he decided that it was worth it to sell everything he had to buy the pearl. Who wouldn’t have done the same thing in his place?

This is not the first time that the disciples are faced with a radical choice, that of having to leave the everything one needs to leave in order to follow Jesus: everything that is most precious to them, like family affections, financial security, guarantees for the future.

But he is not asking something pointless or absurd. For the everything that we let go of there is the everything that we find, inestimably more precious. Each time Jesus asks for something, he promises to give much, much more.

With this parable, he assures us of a treasure that will make us rich forever. And if it seems to be a mistake to leave what is certain for what is uncertain, a possession for just the promise of one, let us remember that merchant: he knows that that pearl is very precious and he confidently awaits the profits it will bring.

Likewise, whoever wants to follow Jesus knows, sees, with the eyes of faith, what an immense gain it is to be heirs with him to the Kingdom for having left everything, at least spiritually.

It is a concrete invitation to put aside everything that can take the place of God in our heart: career, marriage, studies, a beautiful house, one’s profession, sports, entertainment.

It is an invitation to put God in the first place in our hearts, because everything in our life must converge towards him and come to us from him.

If we do this, if we seek the Kingdom, according to the Gospel promise, the rest will be given to us besides (see Lk 12:31). Putting aside everything for the Kingdom of God, we receive a hundred times as much in houses, brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers (see Mt 19:29), because the Gospel has a clear human dimension: Jesus is the God-Man and together with spiritual food, he assures us of bread, shelter, clothing, family.

Perhaps we should learn from the "little ones" to trust more in the Providence of the Father who never fails to give to those who give, out of love, the little they have.

A few months ago, a group of young people in the Congo started making greeting cards out of banana peels. The cards were then sold in Germany. At first, they kept all the profits (some of them support their entire families). Later they decided to share 50% of their profits and help 35 unemployed youth.

Chiara Lubich

The commentary to the Word of Life is translated in 90 different languages and dialects, and reaches more than 14 million people worldwide, through the press, and radio and TV programs. If you would like to read experiences of life related to this or to past "Words of Life," they can be found in Living City magazine, the monthly publication of the Focolare Movement. For information, or to subscribe, write to: Living City, P.O. Box 837, Bronx, NY 10465. A book, From Scripture to Life, containing Words of Life with commentary by Chiara Lubich and related experiences of life is available through New City Press, the publishing house of the Focolare, 202 Cardinal Road, Hyde Park, NY 12538. To order the book or magazine, call: 1-800-462-5980. E-mail: newcitypress@worldnet.att.net