Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Sr. Agnes Nelson, SNDdeN July 26, 2026 Matthew 13: 44-52 In today’s Gospel we hear the parables of the one who found treasure in a field and the merchant who found a pearl of great price. We cannot help but be struck by the excitement and joy of these two treasure finders. The merchant acts so quickly selling all he has to buy the pearl and the first seeker covers up the treasure in case someone else comes along. His joy is contagious. I was struck by the similarity between these treasure finders and the women and men of the early Christian community. They ‘sold their goods and possessions and shared out the proceeds among themselves according to what each one needed….and … they shared their their food gladly and generously.’ (Acts 2: 44- 47) The Christian writer Tertullian tells us that people who saw them were impressed not just by what they said but by what they saw: ‘See how these Christian love one another.’ Their joy and happiness was so evident. What treasure had they found that transformed their lives so radically? In my life experience I found a treasure in my […]