There is a story about a proud young person who sought counsel from the great philosopher Socrates. With arrogance in their heart, they approached Socrates and declared, “O great Socrates, I come to you for wisdom.” Seeing the immaturity and entitlement in the young seeker, Socrates decided to impart a valuable lesson.

He led the young person through the busy streets, eventually arriving at the sea. Standing chest deep in the water, Socrates asked, “What do you want?” The young person confidently replied, “Wisdom, O wise Socrates.” Without hesitation, Socrates pushed them underwater for a short while and then asked again, “What do you want?” The seeker repeated, “Wisdom, O great and wise Socrates.” Socrates repeated the action, dunking them for a longer period this time, and once more asked, “What do you seek?” Sputtering and coughing, they answered “Wisdom!” Socrates dunked them again, for an ever longer period. Letting them up he asked “What do you seek?” “Air” they screeched,” I need air!”

It was then that Socrates conveyed his message with clarity, “When you desire wisdom as intensely as you desired air just now, then you will find it.”

Today’s readings center around the concept of true Wisdom, which the Bible distinguishes from earthly wisdom and mere intellectual knowledge. This divine Wisdom stems from knowing and obeying the will of the Lord. To neglect His Word is to forego genuine wisdom (Jer. 8:8-9). King Solomon sought and received this profound wisdom from God, and despite possessing vast material riches, he recognized that true wisdom far outweighed all worldly treasures.

The parable of the treasure hidden in the field speaks of discovering Wisdom. A man working and tilling a field finds a treasure hidden in it. He rejoices at the find and at once sells everything that he owns and buys the field.

By the treasure, Christ means Wisdom: knowledge of God and God’s will. Perhaps the man of the parable had passed by that buried treasure hundreds of times, not knowing it until he discovered it. Just so we may live in the world ignorant of or even opposed to Wisdom from above until suddenly it penetrates our heart. 

The life of St. Paul exemplifies this transformative encounter with Wisdom. The life of St. Paul exemplifies this transformative encounter with Wisdom. Initially opposed to God’s will by persecuting Christians, Paul’s life took a dramatic turn when he encountered Christ on the road to Damascus. In an instant, he relinquished his previous pursuits and devoted himself to the service of true Wisdom as revealed by Christ.

Another compelling example is the conversion of Paul Claudel, the renowned French author and poet. Paul’s youth was spent among free-thinking intellectuals, and he had become cynical about the Catholic faith. But one Christmas Eve he stepped into Notre Dame cathedral while the evening prayer was being sung. He later wrote: “In an instant, my heart was touched and I believed. I believed with such a strength of adherence, with such an uplifting of my entire being, with such powerful conviction, with such a certainty leaving no room for any kind of doubt”. 

Paul Claudel did not know he was seeking Wisdom when he felt a call to enter the Cathedral that evening.  As in the parable of the treasure in the field he was pursuing his own life when suddenly he discovered buried treasure, treasure that had always been there, but he never saw. 

Paul Claudel discovered Wisdom through the beauty of the liturgy and of the Cathedral. If anyone ever asks you why we spend so much time, money, and effort to make our liturgies and our churches, our music, and our prayers, holy and beautiful, think about Paul Claudel. These things are our efforts to imitate on earth the beauty of heaven. 

The parable of the treasure hidden in the field is about suddenly finding God’s truth, but the parable of the pearl is about finding this truth after a long search. Here, the pearl is the Gospel and the merchant is one seeking Wisdom. The merchant is one who has studied and acquired great knowledge about pearls and what makes them valuable. When he recognizes the pearl of great price, he disposes of all his smaller pearls and buys the most precious one. 

The world has many pearls, many forms of knowledge, but only one is precious, which is faith in Jesus Christ. Many of us diligently acquire knowledge of Christ and the truths that lead to the Kingdom of Heaven.

St. Augustine’s journey is a prime example of this quest for Wisdom. Initially drawn to various eastern religions, Augustine eventually realized their inadequacy during a debate with their followers. While praying in a garden, he heard a child’s voice say: “take and read, take and read”. He opened the Bible to the letter of St. Paul to the Romans, the very book we had as the second reading today. His prepared mind soon recognized that Wisdom and truth can be found in the Church. Reading this scripture, Augustine felt as if his heart were flooded with light. He turned totally from his life of sin. His transformation led him to become a priest, bishop, and one of the greatest saints in history. Augustine recognized the pearl of great price and gave up his old life entirely to pursue it. 

What a treasure there is in the readings of the Gospel: the same power that once healed, enlightened, and transformed lives during Christ’s time. What a treasure there is in the mysteries, and especially in the mystery of the Body and Blood of the Lord. The Gospel is a genuine treasure, beside which all earthly goods are nothing. Just like the man who passed by buried treasure hundreds of times, not knowing it until he discovered it, you may listen to the Gospel for years and not see its treasure, until it penetrates your heart. Open your heart to the Spirit’s prompting and be prepared to be amazed at what God has in store for you.