In last week’s Gospel, Jesus spoke to us in three parables. This Sunday, we read yet another three… As we reflect with you all today, we are drawn to the first two parables in our Gospel. In each, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to riches of the greatest value—for which great sacrifices are made.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, 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.”

In each scenario, a great sacrifice is made in pursuit of a single item. Whether a pearl, buried treasure, or something else—something that holds deep meaning to you—why might we make such a sacrifice?

For us at CMMB, sacrifice is a means to our mission. We cannot journey towards healthier lives worldwide without making sacrifices along the way. But we accept this because the end is greater than the means. Our vision holds promise for the health of our brothers and sisters around the world, and because of that, we are faithfully compelled to pursue it despite the sacrifices we must make.

This is not that different from what we surmise the merchant and the treasure finder felt about the means to their end. For us at CMMB, and those who have joined us on this challenging but fulfilling journey, there is nothing of greater value than the promise of health.

Thank you for journeying with us, today and every day.