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Open Wednesday ... Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, A … July 27
Think of some thing that you really, really treasure.
If your house were burning, and you knew your family and pets were safe, then what would you grab as you fled the house? Baseball cards? Other collectibles? Computer? Jewelry? T.V.? Family photos? CD collection?
In this week's Gospel, Jesus tells more parables to explain the Kingdom of Heaven. Recall last Sunday's Gospel when Jesus used the parables of The Good Seed, The Mustard Seed and The Yeast (Mt 13:24-43) to describe the Kingdom. Next Sunday Jesus says the Kingdom is precious like buried treasure or the finest pearl, so precious that people are willing to sell all they have to attain these riches. Similar to the parable of The Good Seed in which weeds were allowed to grow with the grain until harvest, next Sunday Jesus will use a fishing image to illustrate the same lesson; a fishing net catches all kinds of fish, and the fisherman saves what is edible and discards what he does not want.
The Gospel Acclamation will be repeated from last Sunday: "Blessed are You, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, for You have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom" (Mt 11:25). "Little ones," I think, are certainly children, but God's children: all those who are open to God's Word. (In my experience, children are very open to matters of the Spirit. Sometimes I think they have spiritual experiences which they do not realize are out-of-the-ordinary.)
This week prayerfully give to God that thing which is most precious to you. Whatever you decide is your most precious thing, you might hide or cover it for the week.
List those ways you seek the Kingdom of Heaven. Add a new way this week.
Read the story of King Solomon in your Bible storybook or in 1 Kings. God offers Solomon his heart's desire. The king requests attributes to govern and lead well. Namely, Solomon asks for an understanding heart to judge well and for discernment to distinguish right from wrong. Solomon asks for wisdom, which God is pleased to bestow. What gifts do you need to do well your job? Ask for these gifts. And ask for wisdom, understanding, discernment, and the courage to act on all three.
Think of a disappointment which turned out to be good. Was the happy outcome in spite of your negative perception, or do you think your faith and trust in God facilitated the blessing? I find God works both ways in my life. My negativity can hamper or block a blessing, and if the blessing occurs, it is pure grace; other times I feel that my patience, faith and trust (which I may have at that moment ultimately by the grace of God) cooperate with God to bring about a blessing. Romans 8:28 is one of my favorite Scripture verses: "All things work together for good for those who love God ..." Whenever you see "8:28" on a digital clock, think of Rm 8:28. This week, if a negative situation arises, rely on God's promise to bring good out of the situation.
As the Second Reading continues, you will hear Paul refer to the "predestined" by which Paul means--according to the footnotes in my Jerusalem Bible--all of us who choose to respond to the call of our baptism and to follow Jesus.*
Although Adam sinned, God restored to mankind the possibility of salvation.
Enjoy an exciting week trusting God in all situations. God bless you.
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Sunday's Readings: 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12; Psalm 119;
Romans 8:28-30; Matthew 13:44-52
* Paul's use of "predestined" is not to be confused with Calvin's false doctrine of predestination.
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