``Catholic Parish of Lindfield-Killara Diocese of Broken Bay Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Church, Killara Holy Family Parish Church, Lindfield LINDFIELD: KILLARA: MASS TIMES: Saturday 6:00pm Saturday Vigil: 5:30pm Sunday: 8:15am Sunday: 9:15am 10:15am 12:00 (Chinese Community Mass) 6:00pm (for both our communities) Weekdays: Monday 9:15am 7:30am Tuesday No Mass 7:30am Wednesday No Mass ~ Thursday 9:15am ~ Friday 9:15am * 7:30am ** Saturday 9:15am SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Saturdays 5:00 5:30pm (Lindfield) For 15 minutes after the 5:30pm Mass (Killara) * NO 9:15 Mass at Lindfield nor 7:30am Mass at Killara on the 2nd Friday of each month ** Healing Mass for whole parish at Killara at 10am each 2nd Friday of each month SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 30 7-17 This week: 1kg 3:5, 7-12; Rom 8:28-30; Mt 13:44-52 Next week : Dan 7:9-10, 13-14; 2Pet 1:16-19; Mt 17:1-9 Today s parables of the pearl of great price and the treasure buried in the field are parables that ask how much we value our own discipleship, how much we value the search for the Kingdom in our lives. In the end they are parables that pose questions about our priorities, about what it is that we treasure, about what it is that we would give up everything to obtain. The person who found the treasure in the field went off happy, we are told, and purchased the field. The parable also asks therefore where we find joy. Does our discipleship bring us joy? Is it a way to life and living life more fully, or a burden? Does our search for God lighten our hearts or weigh them down? These parables are an invitation to see the gentle working of the Kingdom in our lives as a treasure and to make the living out of our discipleship the pearl we would do anything to own. Fr Colin
2 Parish Staff and Contact Information We are the one parish of Lindfield-Killara containing our two distinct but collaborating and cooperating communities centred on our two churches at Killara and Lindfield. Holy Family Church: cnr Pacific Hwy and Highfield Rd, Lindfield Immaculate Heart of Mary Church: cnr Fiddens Wharf Rd and Charles St, Killara Parish Priest: Fr Colin Blayney colin@lindfieldkillara.org.au Assistant Priest: Alackakunnel VC thomas@lindfieldkillara.org.au 0421 406 162 Apart from the case of emergency please restrict the use of the above numbers to between 9:30am and 5:00pm. For office or routine enquiries please contact the Parish Office during office hours. PARISH OFFICE: Parish Secretary: Philita Marundan: philita@lindfieldkillara.org.au Address: Level 1, 2 Highfield Road (cnr Pacific Hwy) Lindfield NSW 2070 (Postal: PO Box 22, Lindfield NSW 2070) Ph: 9416 3702 Fax: 9416 3913 Email: parish@lindfieldkillara.org.au Parish Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9:30am-1:00pm and 1:30pm-4:00pm Catechist Coordinator (Primary Schools): Sue-Anne Sherwood Sacramental Programme Coordinator: Sue-Anne Sherwood Assistant Sacramental Programme Coordinator: Maia Schulze Tsang Parish Priest s Secretary: Maia Schulze Tsang sue-anne@lindfieldkillara.org.au 0416 141 508 sue-anne@lindfieldkillara.org.au 0416 141 508 maia@lindfieldkillara.org.au maia@lindfieldkillara.org.au Parish Bookkeeper: Alison Williams alison@lindfieldkillara.org.au Parish Facilities Coordinator (volunteer):anthony Cassidy anthony@lindfieldkillara.org.au Youth Ministry Coordinator (volunteer) Jean Shatek youth@lindfieldkillara.org.au Parish Primary School: Holy Family School, 4 Highfield Rd, Lindfield 2070 Ph: 9416 7200 Fax: 9416 9342 Principal: Mr Lou Dogao Email: info@holyfamily.nsw.edu.au School Website: www.hfldbb.catholic.edu.au Parish Website: www.lindfieldkillara.org.au Saturday Lindfield 6:00pm Killara 5:30pm Sunday Lindfield 8:15am Killara 9:15am Lindfield 10:15am Lindfield 12:00noon Lindfield 6:00pm 29 July Fr Colin 30 July Fr Colin Fr Michael Goonan, ssp 5 August Fr Michael Smith 6 August Fr Michael Smith Fr Michael Smith Fr Lucas Leung
3 RICHARD ROHR S MEDITATION: FIELD HOSPITAL ON THE EDGE OF THE BATTLEFIELD Francis of Assisi taught us the importance of living close to the poor, the marginalised, the outcasts in society. The outer poverty, injustice, and absurdity around us mirror our own inner poverty, injustice, and absurdity. The poor man or woman outside is an invitation to the poor man or woman inside. As you nurture compassion and sympathy for the brokenness of things, encounter the visible icon of the painful mystery in the little ones, build bridges between the inner and outer, learn to move between action and contemplation, then you ll find compassion and sympathy for the brokenness within yourself. Each time I was recovering from cancer, I had to sit with my own broken absurdity as I ve done with others at the jail or hospital or sick bed. The suffering person s poverty is visible and extraverted; mine is invisible and interior, but just as real. I think that s why Jesus said we have to recognise Christ in the least of our brothers and sisters. It was for our redemption, our liberation, our healing not just to help others and put a check on our spiritual resume. I can t hate the person on welfare when I realise I m on God s welfare. It all becomes one truth; the inner and the outer reflect one another. As compassion and sympathy flow out of us to any marginalised person for whatever reason, wounds are bandaged both theirs and ours. Thomas, the doubting apostle, wanted to figure things out in his head. He had done too much inner work, too much analysing and explaining. He always needed more data before he could make a move. Then Jesus told Thomas he must put his finger inside the wounds in Jesus hands and side (John 20:27). Then and only then did Thomas begin to understand what faith is all about. Pope Francis is encouraging a church of doubting Thomases when he tells us that the church seems like a field hospital [1] on the edge of the battlefield (as opposed to a country club of saved people) and the clergy should smell like their sheep (rather than thinking they smell better). [2] If this could happen, it would change just about everything that we have called church up to now. References: [1] Pope Francis, Address to members of the Focolare Movement on September 26, 2014. See full text at https://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2014/september/documents/ papa-francesco_20140926_movimento-focolari.html [2] Pope Francis, With the Smell of the Sheep: Pope Francis Speaks to Priests, Bishops, and other Shepherds (Orbis Books: 2017). Adapted from Richard Rohr, Near Occasions of Grace (Orbis Books: 1993), 108-110.
4 Youth News I. BLAST is returning this term on SUNDAY 6 AUGUST from 4-5.45 pm in Shirley Wallace centre. We invite ALL children in Years 4, 5 and 6 to join us for games, pizza and lots of fun. Questions? Email us on youth@lindfieldkillara.org.au See you there! II. FUSION is a group of young people in Years 7 to 12 who gather fortnightly to laugh, share a meal, and learn about life. All meetings are in Shirley Wallace. Why not give us a try? If you re in Years 7, 8 and 9 we meet from 5.30 to 7.30 pm Years 10, 11 and 12: we meet from 7.00 to 9.00 pm Term 3 dates are: Friday 11 August Friday 25 August Friday 1 September (We re going to PRAISEFEST in Epping. More details to come) Friday 8 September Sunday 24 September Mass and End of Term Party COULD YOU HELP US? Many of our groups and ministries utilising the Shirley Wallace Parish Centre often have a need for audio-visual facilities our youth groups, young adults group, baptism preparation programme, adult education just to name a few. Earlier this year we were donated a computer to link into our network and we have now purchased a large screen TV to mount on the wall. This mounting still needs to take place and the TV and computer need to be set up in operating condition. If you would be able to contribute to the cost of providing this AV facility for our parish ministries that would be a tremendous help. The total cost of the purchase of the TV and the installation of the facilities will be in the order of $2500. Please contact the Parish Office if you are able to help. Fr Colin
5 THE VIRTUAL PARISH NOTICEBOARD A reminder that our parish noticeboard is located on our parish website. Go to News and Events Virtual Parish Noticeboard to see flyers and other information from groups beyond the parish about up-coming events and activities. Please check it regularly. The Commissioning of Our Bells The inauguration of the bells will be spread over two celebrations: we will have the first public ringing of the bells at the 6pm Mass on Sunday 17th September (followed by a chance to see the bells being rung) and we will have the formal dedication of the ring of bells by Bishop Peter on Sunday 12th November at the 6pm Mass (again followed by a chance to see the bells being rung). This will be followed by a parish supper in St Brigid s Hall. As Sunday 12th November was the day already scheduled for the annual visit by the choir from St Francis of Assisi at Paddington the choir will now sing at the 6pm Mass rather than the 10:15am Mass so that we don t have two major events on the same day. Full details about the bells can be found on the parish website by clicking on the hotlink box on the homepage. A MESSAGE FROM FR COLIN I will be taking my annual holidays during August. Fr Thomas will be here of course and he and the parish staff will care for everything while I am away. The weekday Mass programme during that time will be a little different please check page 1 of the bulletin each week for that week s weekday Mass programme. For security purposes caretakers will be resident in the presbytery throughout that time.
6 THE PRAYERS AND RESPONSES OF MASS GLORIA: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father. Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen. INVITATION TO PRAYER LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST: Celebrant: Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours.. May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise & glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church. SANCTUS: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. INVITATION TO HOLY COMMUNION: Celebrant: Behold the Lamb of God All: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. MEMORIAL ACCLAMATION:
THE PSALM Ps 118:57. 72. 76-77. 127-30. My part, I have resolved, O Lord, is to obey your word. The law from your mouth means more to me than silver and gold. Let your love be ready to console me by your promise to your servant. Let your love come to me and I shall live for your law is my delight. That is why I love your commands more than finest gold. That is why I rule my life by your precepts: I hate false ways. Your will is wonderful indeed; therefore I obey it. The unfolding of your word gives light and teaches the simple. At Masses at which the Psalm is sung the response is: Lord, I love your commands. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Alleluia, alleluia! Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom. Alleluia. RESPONSES TO THE PSALM Mon: Give thanks to the Lord for he is good. Tues: The Lord is kind and merciful. Wed: Holy is the Lord our God Thur: How lovely is your dwelling-place, Lord, mighty God! Fri: Sing with joy to God our help. Sat: O God, let all the nations praise you! 7 THE APOSTLES CREED I believe in one God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, (all bow at the following words in bold): who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen A reminder of our coming Masses: MONTHLY CHILDREN S MASSES on the first Sunday of the month (next Sunday 6th August) at the 9:15am Mass at Killara, followed by morning tea. on the second Sunday of the month (Sunday 13th August) at the 10:15am Mass at Lindfield), followed by morning tea.
8 NEXT LINDARA MARKET When: Saturday 12 th August 8am-1pm Where: Lindfield Uniting Church, 454 Pacific Highway (Cnr Provincial Road) Come & bag a bargain-books, jewellery, linen, cakes, jams, art/works, morning tea/coffee,bbq & much more. All funds raised by Lindara Market activities go to the Lindara Homeless family Program, administered through CatholicCare Broken Bay to provide lifestyle changes for families. Extra helpers always welcome. Noella & Malcolm Allerding 94988105 Joan 94162320 SEEKING ACCOMMODATION Young Catholic woman seeking accommodation and willing to look after elderly parishioners, provide companionship and can help with their household chores if needed. References available. Also, willing to pay rent. Please contact: Alka Jose 0420 470329.!!!URGENT!!! We are looking for 2 new catechists to start asap. Lindfield Public: Yr 6 - Tues - 10.30-11am Beaumont Rd: Yr 4 - Tues 11.30-12pm Do you have 30 min a week to help our young people know Jesus? 1 catechist was doing both these classes but she has had to resign. Please contact sue-anne@lindfieldkillara.org.au or 0416 141 508 RENOVATIONS & BUILDING MAINTENANCE CHRIS IACONO Parishioner All work large and small Lic 89879c Fully Insured 50 years experience Mobile : 0412 256 616 Phone : 9416 36 98 chris.iacono@bigpond.com Comfort Inn North Shore Family owned and professionally operated motel with on-site restaurant Address: 1 Gatacre Avenue, Lane Cove Phone: 02 9427 0266 Email: res@cins.com.au Website: www.cins.com.au
9 MORE FAKE NEWS? OR JUST POOR RESEARCH? Last Wednesday the SMH carried an article on religious education classes in State Schools. It quoted the State P&C Federation, the President of the NSW Teachers Federation, and a spokesperson for FIRIS (Fairness in Religions in Schools) which is opposed to religious instruction during school hours - but did not seek information or input from the Catholic CCD which is the single largest denominational provider of religious education in the schools. Quelle surprise! Had it done that then perhaps two errors could have been avoided: that no-one knows the actual number of children who attend religious instruction classes: but in fact the Catholic catechist system DOES know and keep records of class sizes. that the Education Dept knows nothing about what is being taught or who is doing the teaching : whereas in fact the Catholic Church has a well-defined and published curriculum, with text books for both teachers and children. In addition all catechists are required to do diocesan training, are badged and accredited to enter the school, and have an active Working With Children Check. To tell only part of the truth is not to tell the truth at all. Fr Colin PHYSIOFIT Lindfield Parishioner PHYSIOTHERAPISTS: KERRY WESTON (Bogard) THERESA GUDE Hands on treatment Exercise prescription Exercise classes We are located at 7/345 Pacific Highway, Lindfield 2070 (Scholastic Building) Ph: 9416 3155 Mob: 0417 456 294 Email: kerry@physiofitlindfield.com.au Advertising Space Available Please contact Parish Office at 9416 3702 Henry & Gloria Cheung Parishioners Serving the Australian Construction Industry for 30 years UNIVERSAL INSTRUMENTS 326 Pacific Hway, Lindfield NSW 2070 Tel no. 94165335 Fax no. 94161538 E:sales@universalinstruments.com.au
10 CHINESE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY 常年期第十七主日 30/7/2017 讀經一 ( 你為自己求了智慧 ) 恭讀列王紀上 3:5, 7-12 在夜間, 上主於夢中顯現給撒羅滿 天主對他說 : 你無論求什麼, 我必賜給你 撒羅滿說 : 上主, 我的天主, 現在你使你的僕人, 替代我父親達味為王, 但我還太年輕, 不知道如何處理國事 你的僕人處身在你所選的民族中間 ; 這是一個多得不可統計 不可勝數的大民族 為此, 求你賜給你僕人一顆智慧的心, 可統治你的百姓, 判斷善惡 ; 否則, 誰能統治你這樣眾多的人民呢? 因為撒羅滿求了這件事, 獲得了上主的歡心 天主於是對他說 : 因為你求了這件事, 而沒有為你自己求長壽, 也沒有為你自己求富貴, 也沒有要求你敵人的性命, 單單為你自己求了智慧, 為能辨明正義 我必照你的話, 賞賜你一顆聰明智慧的心, 除你以外, 前無古人, 後無來者 上主的話 ( 默想片刻 ) 答唱詠詠 119:57,72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130 答 : 上主, 我是多麼愛慕你的法律 ( 詠 119:97) 領 : 上主, 我說 : 我的福分, 就是遵守你的教訓 你口中的法律, 對我的益處, 連金銀千萬也不能相比 答 領 : 請照你應許給你僕人的諾言, 以你的仁慈來安慰我 願你的仁愛厚加於我, 使我生活, 因為你的法律, 就是我的喜樂 答 領 : 所以, 我愛慕你的誡律, 遠勝各種黃金和寶玉 我遵從你的一切誡命, 憎惡所有欺詐的途徑 答 領 : 你的約法確實美妙神奇, 因此, 我的靈魂要持守不渝 你的言語經過解釋, 必會發光發亮, 連知識淺薄的人, 也可以通達知曉 答 讀經二 ( 天主預定我們肖似他的兒子 ) 恭讀聖保祿宗徒致羅馬人書 8:28-30 弟兄姊妹們 : 我們知道 : 天主使一切, 都有助於那些愛他的人, 就是使那些按他的旨意蒙召的人, 獲得益處 因為他已預定 : 他所預選的人, 要與他兒子的肖像相似, 好使他兒子, 在眾弟兄中作長子 天主不但召叫了他所預定的人, 而且也使他所召叫的人成義, 並使成義的人, 分享他的光榮 上主的話 ( 默想片刻 ) 福音前歡呼領 : 亞肋路亞 眾 : 亞肋路亞 領 : 父啊! 天地的主宰! 我稱謝你, 因為你將這些事, 啟示給小孩子 ( 參閱瑪 11:25) 眾 : 亞肋路亞 福音 ( 他賣掉他所有的一切, 買了那塊地 ) 恭讀聖瑪竇福音 13:44-52 那時候, 耶穌對群眾說 : 天國好像藏在地裡的寶貝 ; 人找到了, 就把它藏起來, 高興地去賣掉他所有的一切, 買了那塊地 天國好像一個尋找完美珍珠的商人 ; 他一找到一顆寶貴的珍珠, 就去賣掉他所有的一切, 買了那顆珍珠 天國又好像撒在海裡的網, 網羅各種的魚 網一滿了, 人就拉上岸來, 坐下, 揀好的, 放在器皿裡 ; 壞的, 扔在外面 在今世的終結時, 也將如此 : 天使要出去, 把惡人由義人中分開, 把他們扔在火窯裡 ; 在那裡要有哀號和切齒 這一切你們都明白了嗎? 群眾說 : 是的 耶穌就對他們說 : 為此, 凡成為天國門徒的經師, 就好像一個家主, 從他的寶庫裡, 拿出新的和舊的寶貝 上主的話 ( 講道後默想片刻 ) 華人天主教會北區中心主日彌撒 12 時, 彌撒後午餐., 餐費 $5.00 牧職修女司徒金美修女聯絡 0419-426899 中心聯絡 Gloria Cheung 聯絡 0416-118089 www.ccc-inc.org.au E :contact@ccc-inc.org.au 主日學 Sunday School, Parish meeting room 香港的關傑棠神父呼籲大家募捐家中無用的英文故事書或小說,但 教科課本 不合用,由 CCC 收集後寄回香港給與中小學的同學閱讀,以增進學生的英文程度 因為英文故事書在香港是非常昂貴, 大家所捐增的書對於經濟有困難的同學是一份寶貴的禮物,同時亦藉著此機會清理書架,可謂一擧兩得 希望大家能大力支持一項有意義的善擧,八月二十日截止,關神父會安排運送返香港 如捐贈書籍,可交到 Gloria Cheung 或 Henry Choi
11 (continued from page 12): each of these parables is that neither man regrets for a second what he had to give up but instead each acts out of the unspeakable joy of what he has discovered and what riches this is now going to bring into his life. Each man is so fuelled by the joy of what he has discovered that he is not focused on what he has given up. Only in this kind of context can self-sacrifice make sense and be truly generative. If the pain of what is sacrificed overshadows the joy of what is discovered, that is, if the focus is more on what we have lost and given up rather than on what we have found, we will end up doing the right actions but with the wrong energy, carrying other people s crosses and sending them the bill. And we will be unable to stop ourselves from being judgmental, bitter, and secretly envious of the amoral. To the very extent that we die to ourselves in order to live for others, we run the perennial risk of falling into the kind of bitterness that besets us whenever we feel we have missed out on something. That s an occupational hazard, a very serious one, inside Christian discipleship and the spiritual life in general. And so, our focus must always be on the treasure, the pearl of great price, the rich meaning, the self-authenticating joy that is the natural fruit of any real self-sacrifice. And that joyful energy will take us beyond self-pity and envy of the amoral. Fr Ron Rolheiser omi, from the website of the Centre for Liturgy, University of St Louis Lindfield Dental Practice Dr Peter Chung DDS, MDS, PhD Clinical Assoc Professor Open: Mon-Sat P: 9416 5000 Suite 1, 345 Pacific Highway (Scholastic Bldg) Next to Lindfield Medical Practice Lord, in Jesus your Son, you restored to us the gift of everlasting life. Grant that life to: Please pray for John Crawford of our parish, who died last Sunday. The Funeral Mass for John was celebrated at Lindfield last Thursday. Recently deceased: Eileen Lyons, Alan Betts, John Marshall, Geronimo Amurao. Anniversary: Michael O Connor, Gordon Sutherland. Please pray for those who are sick : Geoffrey Meere, Fr Franciscus Choi, Ken Kan, Paddy Nolan, Gizelle Tan, Basilisa Choi, Cyril Ferriere, Br Braden, Brian Couper, Kieran Norton, Sean Maguire, Pakie Maguire, Naneth Bernado, Marjorie Simpkins, Michael Swan.
12 REFLECTING ON THIS SUNDAY S SCRIPTURES.. The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it. (Gospel). SEARCHING FOR THE RIGHT FUEL Sometimes everything can seem right on the surface while, deep down, nothing is right at all. We see this, for example, in the famous parable in the gospels about the Prodigal Son & his older brother. By every outward appearance the Older Brother is doing everything right: He s perfectly obedient to his father, is at home, & is doing everything his father asks of him. And, unlike his younger brother, he s not wasting his father s property on prostitutes and partying. He seems a model of generosity & morality. However, as soon becomes obvious in the story, things are far from right. While his life looks so good on the outside, he is full of resentment and bitter moralising inside and is, in fact, envious of his brother s amorality. What s happening? In essence, his actions are right, but his energy is wrong. But, lest we judge him too harshly, we need to have the honesty to acknowledge that we all struggle in this way, at least if we are moral and generous. What is played out in the bitterness of the older brother is, in the astute words of Alice Miller, the drama of the gifted child, namely, the resentment, self-pity, and propensity for bitter moralising that inevitably besets those of us who don t stray from our duties, who do stay home, and who carry the brunt of the load for our families, churches, and communities. Sadly, often, the feeling we are left with when we give our lives over in sacrifice is not joy and gratitude for having been given the grace, opportunity, and good sense to stay home and serve but rather resentment that the load fell on our shoulders, that so many others dodged it, and that so many in the world are having a fling while we are on the straight and narrow. Too often, among us, good and honest people who are fighting for truth and God s cause, we find a spirit of bitter moralising that colours and compromises both our generosity and our sacrifice. But I say this with sympathy: it s not easy to give oneself over, to forego one s dreams, ambitions, comfort, and pleasure for the sake of God, truth, duty, family, and community. How might we do it? How might we imitate the fidelity of the older brother without falling into his envy, self-pity, and bitterness? Where can we access the right fuel to live out the Gospel? As Christians, of course, we need to look at Jesus. He lived a life of radical generosity and self-surrender and yet never fell into the kind of self-pity that emanates from the sense of having missed out on something. He was never disappointed or bitter that he had given his life over. Nor indeed did he, like Hamlet, turn his renunciation into an existential tragedy, that of the lonely, alienated hero who is outwardly intriguing but not generative. Jesus remained always free, warm, forgiving, non-judgmental, and generative. Moreover, throughout this entire life of self-sacrifice, he always radiated a joy that shocked his contemporaries. What was his secret? The answer, the gospels tell us, lies in the parable of the man who is ploughing a field and finds a buried treasure and in the parable of the merchant who after years of searching finds the pearl of great price. In each case, the man gives away everything he owns so that he can buy the treasure or the pearl. And what must be highlighted in (continued on page 11 )