Today we find ourselves face to face with a beautiful image from the Book of Exodus: Moses descending from Mount Sinai, radiant—literally shining—with the glory of God. He doesn’t even realize it, but others see it clearly. His time with the Lord has left a visible mark. And yet, that radiance causes fear. The people shrink back. Moses has to veil his face—because the unfiltered glory of God would overwhelm his people.
The Gospel, on the other hand, gives us two short parables. A treasure buried in a field. A pearl of great price. And in both, the response is the same: the discoverer gives up everything for the sake of possessing what is most valuable—this treasure, this pearl, this Kingdom of heaven.
So what do these readings have in common?
They all speak of encounter—of what happens when we come close to the Holy. When Moses draws near to God, he is transformed. When someone stumbles upon the Kingdom, their whole life takes on a new and more profound meaning. In both cases, God’s presence doesn’t just comfort—it changes, disrupts, illumines.
And it’s here that our saint of the day enters the scene: Peter Chrysologus, the “Golden-Worded” Bishop of Ravenna. Living in the fifth century, Peter earned his title because of his profound, concise, and deeply pastoral preaching. “Golden-Worded”. Most of his sermons are short, but full of fire and clarity. He knew how to take the Word of God and apply it—not in lofty abstractions, but to the human heart. He believed that when God speaks, we are meant to be changed. Just like Moses’ face glowed from the encounter, Peter knew that the Christian life should glow with the light of the Gospel.
Peter preached that “anyone who wants to be always in God’s company must pray regularly and read the Word of God often.” He saw Scripture not as mere instruction but as a pearl of great price, a treasure hidden in plain sight—ours for the finding, if we are willing to seek it, dwell in it, and let it transform us.
In fact, Peter’s gift was not just eloquence—it was accessibility. Like Jesus in the Gospel, he spoke in parables using examples from every day, ordinary life. He drew his listeners into the mystery of God with clarity and beauty through things they could easily associate themselves with. He helped his people see that the Kingdom wasn’t just somewhere far off—but buried right here, in the middle of our lives, waiting to be found.
And like Moses, he reminded them that holiness isn’t reserved for the mountain-tops, but shines forth when we draw near to the Lord—even in the day-to-day duties of our vocations.
So today, as we reflect on Peter Chrysologus, let’s ask: Do we still treasure the Word of God? Are we willing to “sell everything”—to set aside distractions, lesser pursuits, even good things—to make room for what is ultimate? Do we let our time with the Lord leave a mark on us, as it did on Moses and on Peter?
We will continue our journey being conduits of God’s radiant presence as were all the saints whom Christ made the Light of the World. Amen.
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