Jesus said, "The messengers and the prophets will come to you and give you what belongs to you. You in turn, give them what you have, and say to yourselves, 'When will they come and take what belongs to them?'" (88 Thomas)

Through scripture, reason, prophecy, tradition, and intuition we can claim a pearl of great price. It is a pearl that has been waiting for us to claim it, but often we are not even aware of its existence, much less our claim on it.

When we are told of it and receive it we realize that rather than claim it, we have been claimed. We know this is the beauty that has been absent and for which we have been left wanting. Now that we have found it we will not leave it for any distraction. We will give it our longing and receive fulfillment.

We also realize it is a beauty that we do not own, but can only share. We are surprised the many others with a claim are not yet with us. When will they come and take what belongs to them?

A respected scholar writes of Logion 88, "The meaning of this saying is simply unknown..." and notes that Thomas has a tendency to "make assertions that are mystifying, secretive, dark, and impenetrable."