Recently, I started my new service in our seminary as a formator. It always amazed me to see young Filipinos who joined us because they want to become missionaries. Seeing their deep desire for happiness and their search for God’s call reminds me of today's three parables: a hidden treasure in a field, a pearl of great value, and a fishing net thrown into the sea. These everyday pictures were very clear to the people listening to Jesus back then, and they are clear to us today. Jesus shows us that the Kingdom of God is not a far-away dream. It is a real, life-changing experience waiting for us in our normal, everyday lives.

Look at how the man who found the treasure and the merchant who found the pearl reacted. They did not sell everything they had because of fear, pressure, or heavy rules. They did it "out of joy." This is a very important truth for our life as Christians. True faith is not a heavy burden or a set of strict rules. The Kingdom of God is a real meeting with Jesus Christ, who gives our lives deep meaning, peace, and hope. When you realize how much God loves you, making space for Him in your life does not feel like a hard sacrifice. It becomes the easiest and most joyful choice you can ever make.

Jesus also tells the story of the net—or lambat—thrown into the sea, catching all kinds of fish. This image is very familiar to our coastal communities, and it shows how God’s mercy is. God's grace reaches out to everyone, welcoming both saints and sinners. However, the story also reminds us that we must make choices. Every day, we throw our nets into the world, catching many things: busy schedules, money worries, social media, and personal goals. The Gospel asks us today: What are we keeping in our baskets? Are we holding onto things that take away our peace, or are we holding onto what truly matters to God?

As Catholic Christians, Jesus calls us to be like the wise teacher who brings out from his storeroom "both the new and the old." Our beautiful Catholic traditions—our family prayers, the Holy Sacraments, and our parish community—are old treasures, but we need to make them alive in fresh ways today. When we face hard times, like problems at work, sickness in the family, or fear about the future, our faith reminds us where our true safety lies. It is not in money or success. Our real treasure is the quiet, constant presence of God walking with us through every storm.

So today, let us look inside our hearts and ask: "Have I found the pearl of great price?" Jesus does not ask us to run away from the world or ignore our duties. He simply asks us to give Him the most important place in our hearts. When Jesus becomes your greatest treasure, the way you see life changes, your worries become lighter, and your heart finds real peace. May God give us the grace to see His love right where we are, and the courage to live every day with strong faith, bright hope, and true joy.