Reflection on the Daily Readings for 7/29/09 by Fr. Bertrand Buby, SM

Today’s Readings

Scripture: Wed. of 17th week. Exodus 34:29-35. Psalm 99:5.6.7.9  Matthew
13:44-46. Lectionary # 403:

Jesus again continues to speak in parables.  They are all about how and
what the kingdom consists of and what our response should be.  Naturally, a
parable speaks to us where we are with regard to the Lord.  These two
parables are easy to understand. They are called the parable of the
treasure hidden in the field and the parable of the pearl of great price.
The "punch line" for both of them is the call to place what is of God above
all of our other choices.  They mean for us to prioritze the things of God
over the things of ourselves, our world, etc. We are to realize that the
kingdom of God is both creative and redemptive for us when we enter it and
follow God and Jesus. We should think of this when we get up in the morning
and then remember it throughout the day.  We should seize the day with the
thought of the kingdom of God influencing us throughout the hours.  Carpe
Diem means seize this opportunity and so something about it.

We learn that the gift of Wisdom comes from the Holy Spirit and that wisdom
orders all things properly.  The Spirit helps us to discern how to order
and prioritize our lives both in the realm of the spiritual life and our
daily routines of life.  Jesus keeps knocking at the door of our hearts and
says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all the rest will be added."
Now that is a good motivational thought full of the Lord's wisdom. To put
God first in our lives doesn't mean we need a visa card to pay for it. This
most precious treasure is acquired without money and the pearl of great
price is ours for the taking.  We just have to pick the pearl up and
discover the treasure in the field.

Jesus also teaches us to pray about this in the greatest prayer we have in
the New Testament, the Lord's Prayer. It too is about setting God's kingdom
as our top priority.  Jesus has told us the kingdom is also among us and
within us. So it should not be too hard to find.  We pray, "They kingdom
come, thy will be done." We can pray this today while remembering the two
fast and easy parables of the treasure and the pearl. This will make the
day worthwhile and we will be God-centered. Amen.