Dear Parishioner,
Today's readings teach us that accepting Jesus as our God and Saviour and sacrificing everything in life to do the will of God are equivalent to discovering and possessing the most valuable treasure or the pearl of great price. In other words, keeping a personal relationship with Christ and sharing his view of life are the most beautiful, the most precious things in the world.
In Today's first reading we see the dream of King Solomon, where God is asking Solomon to ask for something and God assures him that his request will be granted. We see that young King Solomon opted for the great treasure of accepting God to rule his life by doing God's will. That is why he requested of God "an understanding heart" to distinguish right from wrong, so that he might govern the people properly.
From all the childhood stories I have heard, I too, as a child, used to fancy something like the opportunity king Solomon had. But I was never given one. And when we see King Solomon, given with the best opportunity in his life he chooses not material things but God's reign in his life. In life we too are always presented with different situations to make choices. Let us ask ourselves, what is my priority when I make choices in my life?
In the second reading, Paul teaches us that, the wisdom to perceive God's grace is essential for those who want to follow Him and to do His will, thus remaining in His Kingdom. He assures Rome's Christian community that "all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose." This is an assurance to us as well. All things will turn to be good for us, if we love God and choose to follow him so that we may remain in his kingdom.
In the Gospel, using three mini parables and one concluding parable or simile, Jesus teaches that God's Kingdom is something of extraordinary value, like a hidden treasure or a costly pearl, and that possessing it calls for a total commitment to preserving it. The Kingdom of God is God's reign in our hearts, in our lives, in our homes, in our society, and in our world. Only those who develop a searching mind and are willing to give up everything for the great treasure of God's Kingdom will be rewarded.
Through the first and second parables of the treasure and pearl, Jesus teaches us that identifying God's will and living according to the Gospel, are the most precious and worthwhile things in life. Through Jesus and his Gospel, we come to know and understand the real meaning of life, the will of God for us each day, and the most important things we must do to secure our eternal salvation.
"SEND, O LORD: HOLY APOSTLES INTO YOUR CHURCH"
Fr. Sabu Pariyadan RCJ
The sick and housebound
Those who have recently died: Derrick Hands
Years Mind:
Monday: Fr Michael O'Sullivan
Sunday: Deacon Frederick Wall
First Reading Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
His robe was as white as snow.
Second Reading 2 Peter 1: 16-19
We heard this ourselves, spoken from heaven.
Gospel Matthew 17: 1-9
His face shone like the sun.