The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Wednesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99:5-7, 9
Matthew 13:44-46

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

It has been said that sometimes converts to Catholicism make the best Catholics. How could this be so?

In today’s Gospel we learn that "the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field.” (Matthew 13:44-46) Indeed, our faith is a special gift or treasure, and sometimes when we’re born into our faith, because it is the faith of our parents or guardians, we do not recognize how special it is. A comparison might be made to those born into a middle or upper class. It’s hard for them to appreciate the struggles of the poor--not that non-Catholics are living in spiritual poverty. Sometimes their faith is even stronger than that of lifetime Catholics. The readings of today might give us time to ponder how much we appreciate our gift of faith. What are we doing to nourish that gift?

In the first reading we hear how the people were struck with the radiance of the face of Moses after he had conversed with the Lord. Though we may not always appear radiant after praying as an expression of our faith, persons will know whether we are sincere about our faith through witnessing our action

Thank you Lord for my gift of faith.
Help me to use it wisely!
Amen.

- Joan of Jesus, OCDS

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