Some people have observed that converts often make better Catholics than those who have been part of the Church since childhood.

 

In many cases, new Catholics are excited to belong to the Church, happy to learn more about their new faith, conscientious in attending Sunday Mass, ready to tell others about Jesus, and more than willing to volunteer their time, talent, and treasure to help others and their parish.

That may be the case because these new Catholics have experienced joy similar to those Jesus speaks about in this Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 13:44-46, short form).

 

There Jesus tells a parable about a farm hand who unexpectedly finds a treasure buried in the field where he is working. During times of political instability and danger, it was common for people to bury their valuables for safekeeping. Over time, such buried items were sometimes forgotten or their owners died before retrieving them.

 

It was by sheer luck that the farm hand stumbled across that life-changing treasure. Filled with joy at his discovery, he did what was necessary to make the field and its treasure his own.

 

As in the parable, sometimes people unexpectedly find treasure—not an earthly treasure buried in the ground but a spiritual treasure. At a moment in their lives, they surprisingly discover the Lord and respond to his invitation to follow him as part of the Church.

 

For other people, that discovery only happens after a long time of searching. We see that in the second parable included in Sunday’s Gospel.

 

There Jesus speaks of a merchant who is continually “searching for fine pearls.” When he finds the pearl of his dreams, he is filled with joy and sells all that he has in order to make it his own.

Today, there are people searching for God, for meaning and purpose, and for truth in a world filled with lies. If they are blessed, their search leads them to the real “pearl of great price,” and they come to know Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life.

 

Sunday’s Gospel tells us that some people discover faith unexpectedly, while others find it after a period of searching and questioning. Perhaps converts may seem to be better Catholics because the joy of discovering the “treasure” in the field or finding “the pearl of great price” still fills their spirits.

 

That same spiritual joy should overflow in all of our hearts—for what new Catholics have discovered has been part of our lives for years. We possess the treasure! We have the pearl of great price!

 

© 2026 Rev. Thomas Iwanowski