21 Jan – Memorial for St. Agnes, virgin and martyr
At the age of 12 or 13, St. Agnes was ordered to sacrifice to pagan gods and lose her virginity by rape. She was taken to a Roman temple to Minerva (Athena), and when led to the altar, she made the Sign of the Cross. She was threatened, then tortured when she refused to turn against God. Several young men presented themselves, offering to marry her, whether from lust or pity is not known.
She said that to do so would be an insult to her heavenly Spouse, that she would keep her consecrated virginity intact, accept death, and see Christ. She was martyred for her faith.
St. Agnes is mentioned in the first Eucharistic prayer. On her feast day, two lambs are blessed at her church in Rome, and then their wool is woven into the palliums (bands of white wool) which the pope confers on archbishops as a symbol of their jurisdiction.
- Patron Saint Index
1 Cor 1:26-31
Mt 13:44-46
“He…sells everything he owns and buys the field.”
In today’s gospel, Jesus tells two parables that reflect the incomparable value of the Kingdom of Heaven. Both the man who finds the hidden treasure and the merchant in search of the perfect pearl are willing to sell everything to gain what they have discovered. These parables prompt us to reflect on what we truly value in life and challenge us to ask ourselves: What would we be willing to sacrifice to possess the Kingdom of God?
As I reflect on these parables in light of my own journey, I find myself in a similar situation to the man in the field and the merchant. Over the past years, I have been struggling with my corporate job – a role that once gave me a sense of purpose and security. I have worked hard and have always prided myself on my academic and professional accomplishments. Yet, despite the external markers of success, I felt increasingly disconnected from my true calling.
The decision to leave my corporate job to become a stay-at-home mom and theology student was not an easy one. It is not a decision to seek a better career or more financial gain, but a decision rooted in a desire to seek something deeper. To many, this choice might have seemed surprising. Some friends thought I might have needed a sabbatical, or perhaps looking for an escape from my corporate life. The uncertainty of leaving behind something stable and known for something uncertain is definitely daunting. I honestly don’t know what to expect, even as I begin my first semester in theology studies.
In many ways, my experience mirrors the first parable, where the man finds a treasure hidden in a field. I did not expect to find this desire for theology. After all, it was not something I had actively sought. But once I recognised it (albeit years ago), I understood that it was a treasure worth pursuing and is the impetus for my present decision. The decision to leave my job was not about finding a ‘better job’; it was about following something that felt more true to who I am at my core. It was a step of faith, trusting that in seeking God’s Kingdom, I am choosing something of greater value.
Similarly, in the second parable, the merchant searching for pearls finds one of great value and is willing to give up everything to possess it. Like the merchant, I too have found something I feel drawn to; but unlike the merchant, I don’t yet know what the future holds. I don’t know where my studies in theology will lead, or how I will even fare in this new direction. There are many unknowns, and yet, I feel a sense of peace in knowing that I am choosing to follow this path because it feels right.
These two parables remind me that the Kingdom of God is often hidden in plain sight, and when we recognize its value, it requires a response. The joy that the man and the merchant experience when they find the treasure or the pearl reflects the peace that comes when we align our lives with God’s will, even if that means stepping away from what we have known. I don’t know where this journey will take me, and I believe it is not without its challenges. But like the man in the field and the merchant, I trust that in choosing to seek God’s Kingdom, as long as I continue to trust in God’s guidance, He will provide for me along the way.
As we contemplate on the gospel, let us be reminded that true treasure is not found in earthly accomplishments or wealth, but in the pursuit of God’s will for our lives. Even though I can’t predict the outcome, I trust that the path I have chosen is the right one for me in this season of my life, and I hope that, like the man and the merchant, I will find joy in this journey of faith.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Stephanie Eber)
Prayer: Father God, grant us the wisdom to know Your will and the courage to follow it, even when the way ahead is unclear. May Your peace fill our hearts as we journey forward in faith.
Thanksgiving: Heavenly Father, thank you for Your constant provision and for the joy that filles us when we trust in Your plan. We are grateful for Your presence, love and the certainty that You are with us every step of the way.
OXYGEN 
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