Searching for the greatest treasure of all. The following reflection is courtesy of Don Schwager (c) 2014, whose website is located at dailyscripture.net Meditation: What do you most treasure and how do you keep it secure? In a peasant community the best safe was often the earth. The man in the parable went in his joy to sell everything. Why? Because he found a treasure worth possessing above everything else he had. He did not, however, have enough to buy the treasure. Fortunately, he only needed enough money to buy the field. In a similar fashion, God offers his kingdom as incomparable treasure at a price we can afford! We cant pay the full price for the life which God gives us; but when we exchange our life for the life which God offers, we receive a treasure beyond compare. Searching for the greatest treasure of all The pearl of great price also tells us a similar lesson. Pearls in the ancient world came to represent the supremely valuable. Jesus remarked that one should not cast pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6). Why would a merchant sell everything for a peerless pearl? No doubt because he was attracted to what he thought was the greatest treasure he could possess. Discovering heavenly treasure Discovering Gods kingdom is like stumbling across hidden treasure or finding the one pearl of great price. When we discover the kingdom of God we receive the greatest possible treasure - the Lord himself. Selling all that we have to obtain this incomparable treasure could mean many things - our friends, job, our style of life, what we do with our free time. Treasure has a special connection to the heart, the place of desire and longing, the place of will and focus. The thing we most set our heart on is our highest treasure. In this parable what does the treasure of the kingdom refer to? It certainly refers to the kingdom of God in all its aspects. But in a special way, the Lord himself is the treasure we seek. If the Almighty is your gold and your precious silver, then you will delight yourself in the Almighty (Job 22:22-23). Is the Lord the treasure and delight of your heart? Lord Jesus, reveal to me the true riches of your kingdom. Help me to set my heart on you alone as the treasure beyond compare with any other. Free my heart of any inordinate desires or attachment to other things that I may freely give to you all that I have in joy and gratitude for all that you have given to me. May I always find joy and delight in your presence. The following reflection is courtesy of Presentation Ministries (c) 2014. Their website is located at presentationministries THE BEGINNING, MIDDLE, ANDEND OF GODS WORD When I found Your words, I devoured them; they became my joy and the happiness of my heart. —Jeremiah 15:16 Many of you reading One Bread, One Body have found Gods Word to be the joy and happiness of your hearts. Your initial experience of Gods Word has been sweet (see Rv 10:10; Ez 3:3). Later, you will find that Gods Word is not only sweeter than honey (Ps 119:103) but also sharper than a two-edged sword (Heb 4:12). Many people will hate you because the Lord has given you His Word (Jn 17:14). You will feel alone and abandoned (Jer 15:17). You will be in continuous pain and seem incurably wounded (Jer 15:18). You will be tempted to turn away from the Lord and His Word. You may even fall into this temptation and actually turn away from the Lord. However, the Lord promises: 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 (Jer 15:19). In the end, if you keep living and proclaiming Gods Word, the Lord will free you from the hand of the wicked, and rescue you from the grasp of the violent (Jer 15:21). You will have victory through Gods Word. In all this we are more than conquerors because of Him Who has loved us (Rm 8:37). Live, love, and share Gods Word in joy, suffering, and victory. Prayer: Father, may I be willing to die for You, Your truth, and Your love (see Sir 4:28). Promise: When he found one really valuable pearl, he went back and put up for sale all that he had and bought it. —Mt 13:46 Praise: St. Peter taught: Christs birth was not necessity, but an expression of omnipotence, a sacrament of piety for the redemption of man. (We have a number of Bible reading plans as well as Simple Reading Guides to each book of the Bible. Pray about ordering these to grow in Gods Word.) Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant my permission to publish One Bread, One Body covering the period from June 1, 2014 through July 31, 2014. †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 2, 2014. The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or statements
Posted on: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 19:48:52 +0000
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