Today’s Gospel passage begins with Matthew 7:6: ““Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.”
In the Jewish context, this word for “holy” also meant “sacred.” To them, the obvious example of the sacred was what was offered for sacrifice. The Temple sacrifice was not to be then given to dogs.
The use of “pearls” here cannot but call attention to the short parable in Matthew 13:45-46. “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.”
Sacred sacrifice and treasure.
As Catholics, what is the sacrifice that we offer? What is the sacred that we need to protect? We no longer offer animal sacrifices in the Temple. We offer the Eucharistic sacrifice on the altar at Mass. And so, this is the most sacred. This is what we need to keep from profanation. This is what we cannot throw to the dogs. This is what we cannot allow to carelessly fall onto the ground for dogs to lap up. It is why we must be worthy to receive. It is why we go to Confession before receiving Holy Communion when we fall into mortal sin and out of a state of grace.
The Eucharist is also the greatest treasure that we have as Catholics. We do not merely have one set of beliefs out of the many that exist in the world. We are not merely one community among many. We are the members of the mystical Body of Christ who have been given the Real Presence of the Body of Christ as the greatest treasure. A treasure that we value, but not a treasure that we keep secret. It is one that we want to make available to all by inviting them into the Catholic faith that they might be brought into full communion with the Catholic Church and be able to receive this great treasure themselves.
Do I value this treasure that we have been given? How do I show by my life how much I value this treasure?