Let's Give it Up for Jesus

Today is the memorial of St. Alphonsus Liguori Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Born in Maples Italy in 1696. By age 17 he graduated with degree in both Cannon and Civil Law and practiced civil Law for several years. Ordained when he was 30. Patron Saint of moralists and confessors, especially remembered for his text in moral theology, used in seminaries throughout the world. He opposed the Jansenist heresy that denied the necessity of free will in receiving and utilizing grace, that Jesus died only for the predestined not for all, they even had their own crucifix art form symbolizing this heresy with the right arm of Jesus raised higher that the left on the cross.

In the Gospel, Jesus likens the kingdom of heaven to a treasure in the field or a precious pearl that when the person finds, sells everything to purchase it. Questions arise. What if they do not have enough money for the treasure, or do not find the treasure, at no fault of their own? Are they banned from the Kingdom? Is entrance into the kingdom of God by chance, or by our own efforts and means? Certainly Not.

In the Gospel, Jesus likens the kingdom of heaven to a treasure in the field or a precious pearl that when the person finds, sells everything to purchase it. Questions arise. What if they do not have enough money for the treasure, or do not find the treasure, at no fault of their own? Are they banned from the Kingdom? Is entrance into the kingdom of God by chance, or by our own efforts and means? Certainly Not.

In the Gospel Jesus is leading us to see that He is the priceless Treasure, the Precious Pearl, out for everyone to discover, and no one to afford. That entrance into the kingdom is by joyfully desiring to have Jesus, acquired only by willingness to give up everything for Him. Let us give it up for Jesus!