‘( 322 ) 
This parable, then, equally signifies the great happiness of pos¬ 
sessing the true faith and being in a state of grace. 
He who really and laboriously strives after Truth and Salvation 
will obtain them. 
There exists, however, only one pearl without price , for there exists 
only one Truth. And even as the wise merchant who bought this pearl 
at the cost of all that he possessed, alone knew how rich he had become by 
the possession of it, so do those who belong to the true Church and possess 
grace, alone know how rich they are. Those who have not the faith are 
ignorant of its value, and have no conception how rich those are who pos¬ 
sess it! 
St. Paul says: “God will have all men to be saved, and to come to 
the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. ii. 4). And again: “We exhort you, 
that you receive not the grace of God in vain” (2 Cor. vi. 1). 
God stretches forth His hand to save us; if we really wish to be 
saved, we must take hold of it, and not reject it. 
“To-day,” says therefore the Psalmist, “if you shall hear His voice, 
harden not your hearts” (Ps. xciv. 8). 
A precious stone or mineral, of a carmine red color, sometimes verg¬ 
ing to violet, or intermediate between carmine and hyacinth red. The 
common ruby is a red variety of the spinel. The Oriental ruby is red 
sapphire, a gem of great beauty and value. 
