In Matthew’s Gospel, we hear how Jesus summoned the apostles, and what a motley crew they were: a tax collector, fishermen, with homes and families. Yet, not only did these twelve guys leave everything behind, they shook the very foundations of the world. To this day—2000 years later—statues, buildings, churches, and schools hold their names. Any objective person, including nonbelievers, can’t help but marvel at their accomplishments.
Our world today has a false impression of the clergy and the deeply religious. Often, before they were “called,” these people lived and thrived in the world. Some of them could very well be among the “most gifted”—people who, if they had chosen to stay “in and of the world,” would have had success and riches. Instead, something propelled them to give up what they could have had, ultimately to receive something much better.
But the secular world does not see it that way; it measures success differently.
What is it about Christ that would make such gifted men and women give up so much? And how can the lives of such people, who by the world’s standards have nothing, impact the world so significantly?
Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Far too often, we “play it safe.” We are trained from a young age to “get a good job” and “make lots of money.” Do you know what I say to that? Boring! How easy it is to do that if you have been given the gifts of a good education, a sharp mind, and above-average social skills. If only we would “put down the cup and reach for the jug.” This is what the twelve apostles did, and this is what so many religious people (both clergy and lay) do to this very day.
Why would someone do that?
The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.
Years ago, I was volunteering with Mother Teresa’s sisters, and we were preparing a Christmas party for the people who lived in the Elliott-Chelsea Housing Projects, located on the West Side of Manhattan. I arrived early that Saturday morning, and who do I see volunteering? Hugh Jackman, the famous Hollywood movie star.
After we finished with the Christmas party, the superior of the convent pulled Hugh aside to speak with him. I was very close with Sister Tonia, so right before she spoke with him, I said to her, “Sister, Hugh is a very famous man.” She looked me dead in the face and said, “I do not care!”
We humans are too quick to “size up” or measure people according to their worldly achievements. When it comes to what really counts—how God views us—those worldly achievements are nothing; they mean nothing and will have no lasting value to anyone. Lost in time never to be remembered.
The LORD brings to nought the plans of nations; he foils the designs of peoples. But the plan of the LORD stands forever; the design of his heart, through all generations.
While the world looks at Hugh Jackman one way, Mother Teresa’s sisters saw him another way: as a child of God. No different from anyone else.
What most people in the world do not understand is that the only person whose opinion really counts in the end is God. When it comes down to it, we all should live for an audience of One!
When we practice our Faith, when we live a Sacramental life, when we expose our soul to God through daily prayer, fasting, reception of the Blessed Sacrament, and monthly confession with a priest, our view of people and things actually changes—because of grace. We begin to see as God sees and value what God values.
This is why the secular world misses out on the pearl of great price, and this is why some of the most gifted people give up money, fame, and power—because they see what the world does not see. Scripture tells us:
. . . everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life.
It all comes down to what you see, what you value.
If you think that’s crazy, then ask yourself these questions: When was the last time the CEO of an International Bank had his name placed upon a building, say, 400 years after his death? Can you remember the name of 22nd President of the United States? (I can’t!) Do you think your 10-year-old daughter knows who John Lennon is? Probably not. Further, why are such “unsuccessful” individuals, like St. Francis, St. Dominic, and St. Joseph, hundreds—even thousands—of years after their deaths, still remembered and talked about?
Maybe we have to redefine what success is and what is really of value.
The twelve apostles gave up everything to follow Christ. This radical choice cannot be understood by secular people. When they do think about such a person, making such a choice, many negative judgements usually come to the mind. This is because our world misses “the big picture.” But God plays the long game, and, frankly, we as His children need to start seeing the world as He does. When this happens, our values change and so do our choices.
It all comes down to what you value. The pearl of great price isn’t actually something that can be bought, but when you find it, you give up everything to have it.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on the author’s blog, Oh Francesco, on July 9, 2025.
Photo by Howard Senton on Unsplash
