In today’s Gospel, Jesus shares two more stories designed to illustrate God’s Kingdom (Matthew 13:44-46).

Whatever the “Kingdom of God” is, it often goes unrecognized, despite it being among us.

In the first short parable, Jesus does not explain how the person found the hidden treasure, only that it was found and its value recognized joyfully. Most important is a watchful attitude and alert disposition that moves a person to be searching for God and expecting God to permit Himself to be found.

If treasure is to be found, there must first be a treasure-hider. This truth fuels our seeking and heightens our anticipation of finding. .

In contrast to Jesus’ first parable explaining that treasure [read: God’s Kingdom] sometimes can be found unexpectedly, the second short parable explains other times a pearl of great price [read: God’s Kingdom] is discovered as a result of a determined search.