Today, even Christ’s relatives are surprised. His Ministry causes astonishment: for its newness, its authority and… because it requires adhesion to it. Indeed, the new proximity of the "Kingdom" which Jesus talks about, and whose proclamation is distinctive of His message, that entirely new nearness resides in Christ Himself.

Through His presence and His activity, God enters into history here and now in a totally new way. As the One that works. This is why now "the time is complied with"; this is why now it is the time, in a unique way, of conversion and penitence. It is also the time of joy, for in Jesus, God comes to meet us. In Him, God is now who acts and reigns; reigns the divine way, that means without earthly power, ruling through the love that reaches "to the end", all the way to the Cross.

—Jesus, I accept your invitation to follow You by leaving everything. Because You are the "treasure", and the communion with You is the "precious Pearl".