The Rev. Gordon Reigle of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish and St. John Church in East Lansing explained his interpretation of Matthew 13:45-46 in the churches' July 26 weekly bulletin.

The passage relays the story of a man who finds a pearl of a “great price” and sells everything that he owns to purchase that beloved pearl. Reigle explained that the Kingdom of Heaven may cost us all that we own but that it still surpasses any earthly treasure. 

“The parables of Jesus remind us constantly of the cost of discipleship, the glory of Heaven or eternal loss of Hell, and the Final Judgment that awaits us all,” Reigle wrote. “And yet we are often so slow to change our ways and pursue a more intimate relationship with Jesus.”

The Rev. Gordon Reigle | elcatholics.org

Reigle wrote that in his personal life he spends too much time worrying about the future than reflecting on God’s goodness and faithfulness in the past. 

“It is so easy to focus excessively on the world that we see and neglect the invisible world yet to come,” Reigle wrote. “Let us keep the big picture in mind more each day so as to always seek first the Kingdom and be prepared to offer anything and everything for the treasure of eternal salvation.”

At the end of Reigle’s column, he shared numerous announcements about happenings in the parish, including the retirement of Al Weilbacher from the position of director of adult faith formation, and the succession of Josh Hamilton to the position. Additionally, as the coronavirus continues to spread, Masses are being offered daily on livestream and the parish is attempting to find a compromise for holding services safely. 

Finally, the Marian Garden is being improved, thanks to the generous donation of Noah Mead-O’Brien.