The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, July 24, 2005
The Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 Kings 3:5, 7-12
Psalm 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-130
Romans 8:28-30
Matthew 13:44-52

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"Do you understand all these things?” (Matthew 13:51)

The kingdom of Heaven, is truly to be understood as our greatest treasure, our most sought after prize. Jesus offers this kingdom of Heaven to all, good or bad, to come to Life. The ones who will to acquire this treasure of redemption, and respond to these graces, give all to God and find an eternal home in His kingdom. Those who refuse are removed to an eternity of unending misery, burning, wailing and grinding of teeth.

"Do you understand all these things?" Jesus asks. He wants and indeed expects us to “know” the choice before us and thus choose to give all for this “treasure” given for us to “find.” It requires nothing less than our “all” as a daily fiat. The consequence of our choice to reject this treasure is, as He also clearly reveals, an eternity of endless suffering.

Jesus directs, "Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old." This points to the responsibility of those given knowledge about the kingdom, to serve as the head of many and share this fresh and ancient Truth with the old and the new alike.

O Beloved Lord, our only Treasure, grace us to answer, “Do you understand?” with a fiat like the Blessed Mother, and renounce self in order to acquire the treasured Kingdom of Heaven; may we faithfully bring forth from our storerooms this fresh and ancient Truth. Amen.

- Mary Williams
(www.impactbydesign.biz)

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2005 The Way, The Truth, The Life