The Parable of the Precious Pearl or the Pearl of Great Price by Domenico Fetti (1589-1623)
We are never as great as we often think ourselves to be: this is the message of humility, the message of the Publican who we remember so often throughout Lent. We are to strive for what is greater than ourselves, Christ, that He may lead us to be greater than ourselves. By seeing how little we are in ourselves, we see how much we have to gain in the Lord. For this we pray, "O Lord and King, grant me the grace to see my own sins." Whenever we call out to the Lord for help, we are recognizing that we need help, that we are not enough in ourselves, and that He can help us. We must remember always that He is the greater one; He is the summit of what we search for, the pearl of great price, and knowledge of Him is the greatest knowledge, and fear of Him is the beginning of wisdom. Thus the following poem, "Christ and Our Selves" by Francis Quarles, can hopefully assist us in calling to mind all of these things:
