A sermon on Matthew 13:44-46

Fr. Mike Paraniuk
HCP columnist

Karen Black was an actress who starred in horror movies that I like to watch. She left our mortal orb in 2013. She wrote an epitaph about love that is etched on her tombstone. It reads, "To love someone is to make them feel seen."  

Doesn't it feel so good when another considers you important to them, special to them and the object of their love? When I was a teenager, there were moments when I felt so alone. I entered St. Fidelis Seminary in Butler, Pa. at 14 years old. I lost all the friends I made in high school because we could not leave the seminary for nine months, except for Christmas, Easter and a few weekend visits to home. It was during the three months of summer recess at home that I had nobody to hang out with. God brought someone into my life who took away the loneliness. 

That "someone" was Big John, a strong, elderly, portly man who stood over six feet. Very intimidating. Though married to Sophie for many years, they had no children. I met him walking by his house when he yelled from his porch with a booming voice, "Hey kid, do you want to cut my grass?" 

This chance meeting led to a six-year friendship where he "made me feel seen." Big John was a ham radio operator who could do Morse code at a clip of 50 words per minute. He taught me the exciting world of amateur radio. With his help, I obtained my license with the call letters WA3LDA. He said, "you're a Little Devilish Angel" followed by a big belly laugh. 

In 1970, I entered the Franciscan Novitiate in Annapoli, Maryland. Big John took me to the Greyhound Bus station to begin my new life. He said these words to me before leaving his car. "I appreciate our friendship. You're like the son I never had. That's how important you are to me. I will never forget you." 

Big John then told me he and Sophie were leaving for Arizona for health reasons. I thanked him for everything he had done for me. We shook hands. I got out of his car and walked to the bus station. I didn't turn around to wave goodbye because I didn't want him to see me cry. I knew I would never see him again...and I never did. I fondly remember Big John to this day because he saw me as important.

Jesus tells the story of the person who finds a buried treasure and the merchant who finds pearls of great value. There is an interpretation of these stories that says the person and the merchant are not us. They are Jesus. You and I are the treasure and the valuable pearls that Jesus finds. Jesus gave up everything – the glory of Divinity, the joys of Heaven, even His own life – to purchase us for God because we are so valuable to Him. "For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." (1 Corinthians 6:20.) 

At Children's Hospital, we give glory to God by using every gift God gives us to heal sick bodies and make them whole again. This makes God very happy.

You are so important to Jesus, especially when you are sick. Jesus revealed God's Kingdom by healing. Sickness and disease are under God's authority. God works with the doctors, nurses, scientists and so many others to bring wholeness and wellness to those who suffer. Jesus is moved with compassion especially for a child or young adult who suffers. Jesus calls the healing of children "bread." 

"Let the children first eat all they want," He said. "It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the puppies." (Mark 7:27.) 

Just as bread sustains life, so does healing. (I'm sure Jesus loved puppies, but healing sick children is God's top priority). 

When I stand before God, I want to ask Him, "Why am I so important to you?" Job asked this question, too. Job 7:17: “Why do you make people so important and give them so much attention?”

I don't know the full answer to that yet. I'm just glad that God does. I base my faith on believing God makes "me feel seen." It would be hard for God not to see me because He created me in His own image. Since I was created to look like God, He may have to go on a diet! 

Blessings...Fr. Mike.