Word to the Wise
Wednesday, July 31, 2024 - Wednesday in the 17th Week in Ordinary Time
[Jer 15:10, 16-21 and Matt 13:44-46]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. [Jeremiah] "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 goe and sells all that he has and buys it.' [Matthew]
JULY 31 ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA, sj
After discourses on the challenges of discipleship and Jeremiah's laments on the life and role of a prophet, Jesus speaks to the goal and value of all the struggle and trial: the Kingdom of heaven. That can be quite a motivator from the apostles to the martyrs to people like Sts. Dominic, Francis, Ignatius of Loyola, to Archbishop Romero, to the Maryknoll sisters and Jesuits in Latin America and so many other heros and heroines. But one doesn't have to be a "hero" to be motivated by faith. The KIngdom of heaven is realized by anyone who strives to live out the teachings of Jesus on a daily basis.
Yes, there are those who go further intentionally and join religious orders or enter full time ministry, from priests and religious to college student missionaries like FOCUS and St. Paul Outreach and other similar groups. But parents and faithful friends can be equally motivated by the treasure in the field or the pearl of great price. Pope Francis' initial encyclical, "The Joy of the Gospel," challenges all of us who have been baptized to be "missionary disciples" who bring the joy of the gospel to the world. Otherwise it will remain a hidden treasure in a field or enclosed in the shell of the oyster. What the parable means to convey is that no other value is greater than the Kingdom of heaven and it is worth whatever price one can pay. AMEN