Daily Reflection – July 27, 2016
Wednesday 27 July 2016
First Reading: Jeremiah 15:10, 16-21
Responsorial Psalm:
God is my refuge on the day of distress
Psalm 58(59):2-5, 10-11, 17-18
Gospel Reading: Matthew 13:44-46
Today’s Note: Wednesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
Gospel Reading:
Jesus said to his disciples:
“The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field,
which a person finds and hides again,
and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
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.”
Reflection:
Your words became my joy and the happiness of my heart.
What do you most treasure and how do you keep it secure? In a peasant community the best safe was often the earth. What word is this, that fills us to the brim with joy?The man in the parable “went in his joy” to sell everything. Why? Because he found a treasure worth possessing above everything else he had. He did not, however, have enough to buy the treasure. Fortunately, he only needed enough money to buy the field.
When the weight of the world sits upon our shoulders, when misunderstanding reigns in our world, when loneliness and despair rule and our mind rages in worry and doubt, God’s word is one of promise: I will restore you, I am with you!
In a similar fashion, God offers his kingdom as incomparable treasure at a price we can afford! We can’t pay the full price for the life which God gives us; but when we exchange our life for the life which God offers, we receive a treasure beyond compare.
What joy, indeed, is this promise! It is this joy that we are called to cherish, though it may be buried and at times seemingly unreachable. This joy we ought to pursue, letting all worry fade away before the splendour of him whose name we bear.
“Lord Jesus, reveal to me the true riches of your kingdom. Help me to set my heart on you alone as the treasure beyond compare with any other. Free my heart of any inordinate desires or attachment to other things that I may freely give to you all that I have in joy and gratitude for all that you have given to me. May I always find joy and delight in your presence.”
