The Pearl
Coral and quartz are not worth mentioning. The price of wisdom is beyond pearls.
Job 28:18
A raw oyster is not much to look at on the outside, but enthusiastic fans of these saltwater mollusks find them delicious with the addition of a little hot sauce, horseradish, and lemon juice. Sometimes a raw oyster even contains an unexpected bonus—a pearl. Natural pearls form as a defense mechanism, an immune response from the little gray creature inside the shell against a potentially threatening irritant. The irritant is covered, layer by layer, with nacre, a mineral substance also known as mother-of-pearl. The very best pearls have a metallic sheen, a mirror-like luster from the many coatings swathed around the irritant. Beautiful luminescent layers smooth over the irritation to make life more comfortable for the little guys, and over time they form highly sought after treasure from the depths of the waters.
When someone irritates us, we should take a cue from the oyster and cover the person with our prayers. We should coat the rough, unlovable one with our forgiveness and the love of God. And in time, with enough love and patience, the one who irritated us may become a blessing and a comfort to us instead. A precious pearl, a thing of beauty. –An excerpt from “Sweet Tea for the Soul”.
Source: ARCHCATHEDRAL Newsletter
Holy Trinity Cathedral
337 East 74th Street, New York, NY 10021
