The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, August 2, 2006
Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Eusebius of Vercelli, bishop
St. Peter Julian Eymard, priest

Readings from the Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 15:10, 16-21
Psalm 59:2-3, 4, 10-11, 17, 18
Matthew 13:44-46

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

How much do we really value what our Lord has given us? In today’s gospel, Jesus tells His disciples that the kingdom of God is so precious that it is like two men who sold all they had to obtain it. One bought a field where the treasure was buried and the other bought a pearl of immeasurable value and both gave all they had to obtain it.

God’s gifts to us come completely free of charge. But, what if they did not? What would we be willing to sacrifice to gain His gifts? Our cars, home, boats, RV’s, jewelry or other belongings? How about something more abstract like the prestige we may have within our communities? How about every material thing we possess? At what point would we say that the cost is too high and walk away?

Perhaps asking ourselves these questions and giving ourselves an honest answer will reveal how much we truly value His gifts.

- Don Claunch, SFO
(dlclaunch at bresnan dot net)