17th Week in the Ordinary Time
1st Reading: Jer 15:10, 16-21
Woe to me, mother, that you gave me birth! a man of strife and contention to all the land! I neither borrow nor lend, yet all curse me. When I found your words, I devoured them; they became my joy and the happiness of my heart, Because I bore your name, O LORD, God of hosts. I did not sit celebrating in the circle of merrymakers; Under the weight of your hand I sat alone because you filled me with indignation. Why is my pain continuous, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? You have indeed become for me a treacherous brook, whose waters do not abide! Thus the LORD answered me: If you repent, so that I restore you, in my presence you shall stand; If you bring forth the precious without the vile, you shall be my mouthpiece. Then it shall be they who turn to you, and you shall not turn to them; And I will make you toward this people a solid wall of brass. Though they fight against you, they shall not prevail, For I am with you, to deliver and rescue you, says the LORD. I will free you from the hand of the wicked, and rescue you from the grasp of the violent.
Gospel: Mt 13:44-46
Jesus said to his disciples: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”
THE KINGDOM VALUES: In the first reading we see the assurance of God to the Prophet Jeremiah, “For I am with you to deliver you and rescue you” (Verse 20). Fear is something that stands on our way in realizing our goals. Our doubts and anxieties can play the spoilsports in life. In the Gospel we see Jesus explaining about the Kingdom of God like that of a costly pearl or a treasure buried in the ground. Once it is found, it is sought very much by the seeker. The Kingdom values of Jesus stand against the worldly principles. It is based on love, compassion, mercy, truth and justice. God’s kingdom is within us and we need to discover it as we continue our journey. Jesus is inviting us to be part of this Kingdom. When we stand for the Gospel values, we belong to the Kingdom of God.
Prayer: Lord, Thy Kingdom come.
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THE PRICELESS KINGDOM: One of the things that was written in the commandments is that we should not have another God before Jehovah. We are called to love Him with all our hearts and our strength. After spending time with God we see the face of Moses shining with glory even as he brings the message to the people. This is the true glory from God that cannot be given by any other possession. In the gospel of today, Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to treasures that are priceless and are worth giving up everything to possess. The true riches that bring glory in our lives comes from the Kingdom of God and therefore we should not trade our faith for any material possession.
DAILY GOSPEL 