Finding the Pearl of Life

Weekly Missionary Reflection
17th Sunday in ordinary time, 30 July 2023
1Kgs. 3:5,7-12; Ps. 119:57,72,76-77,127-128,129-130; Rom. 8:28-30; Matt. 13:44-52 (long) or Matt. 13:44-46 (short)

The story of King Solomon in today’s first reading reminds me of a story of a man encountering Jesus in his dream. He was asked to say a wish and Jesus would grant it. However, the man didn’t know what he really wished. So he asked for Jesus’ guidance. Jesus guided him to ask for a joyful heart. The man agreed and he asked for that. Reflect, the power to realize the most important thing that we wish beyond our physical interest is a precious gift.

King Solomon did not ask for long life or riches or victory in battle. Instead, he asked for discernment to know what is right. Then he could see beyond the physical things and asked for something more glorious. The same story is also found in today’s parable in the Gospel reading. What is the most precious treasure that could make someone sell his entire property to get that buried treasure? Or if we put ourselves in that story, what do wish the most? What is so precious that we dare to surrender all we have in order to grab it?

My beloved sisters and brothers, Jesus wants to tell us that the Kingdom of God is not the life we will go through after death, but it is really the life we can live now every day. The Kingdom of God is not an abstract concept that can not be reached by the mind of a common human, but it is really concrete and real that we can live now. Perhaps some of us find it in the presence of a family member or in our friend. Some could be found in our working surrounding or ministry to others. Sometimes we can see it in simple things yet make our hearts burn.

Let us humbly pray for the grace of the Lord and through today’s reflection we are enabled to see things that go beyond material and physical things. May with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we are blessed with wisdom to see and find the hidden treasure and pearl of life in our daily lives. God bless.

(Br. Kornelius Glossanto, SX – Xaverian Missionary)

DAILY DEDICATED PRAYER

Lord, our Father, I present my today prayer, thought, word, work, joy, and sorrow in unity with Your Son, Jesus Christ, who always presents Himself in the Eucharist for the salvation of the world. May the Holy Spirit animating Jesus, also be my guidance and strength today so that I am ready to be the witness of Your love.

Together with St. Mary, Mother of Jesus, and the Church, in particular, I present my prayer for our Pope and apostle prayer of the Indonesian Church of this month:

For a Eucharistic life
We pray that Catholics may place the celebration of the Eucharist at the heart of their lives, transforming human relationships in a very deep way and opening to the encounter with God and all their brothers and sisters.

Political awareness We pray that many young Catholics are called to enter politics and become government officials, so they can get involved in making policies for the sake of national development and solution to social problems. 

Amen.