Posted by Word Alive — Fr. Bel San Luis, SVD July 30, 2023
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time – A
In this Sunday’s gospel, Jesus Christ speaks about the Kingdom of Heaven, which is likened to a treasure buried in a field. A person finds it, hides it, and sells all that he has to buy that field. The other parable is similar to the previous one, wherein a merchant finds a pearl of great price. He goes and sells all that he has to acquire the valuable pearl (Mt 13:44-46).
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The Lord is telling us that the greatest values and priorities in life are the kingdom of God and our eternal heavenly home.
Nanding Balingit, a friend, was making good as a high-ranking executive of a giant beverage company in Makati. After many years of service, his friends and office mates were astounded when he quit his high-paying job. They were more surprised when he told them that he had to work fulltime in the charismatic renewal apostolate he was serving.
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He traveled zealously to nearby towns in Bulacan and Pampanga, organizing Life in the Spirit Seminars (LSS) and Marriage Encounter weekends. Once he confided to me, “Father, I may not be making as much money as I used to, but I can’t exchange the joy and fulfillment I now experience.”
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Nanding’s story is much like finding the buried treasure and the pearl of great price. He gave up everything to devote his life to the service of God.
While God and His Kingdom are our greatest treasures, we need money to acquire the basic necessities such as food, establishing a decent house, enrolling children, and ensuring future security.
On the business side, companies have to work double-time in order to offset the losses caused by the debilitating Covid-19 pandemic.
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Somebody once said, “Money is the root of all evil.” However, someone countered, “If money is the root of all evil, I welcome anyone to plant it in my garden!”
Yes, money can be the root of all evil, but it is also the root of all good when used for something beneficial and noble, not amassed from ill-gotten wealth.
The Lord categorically said, “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but suffers the loss of his own soul?” (Mt 16:26).
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Let’s remember. The good news should bring us joy in our lives when we discover the priceless treasure that is imperishable and unfading. There is joy because everything else is valueless compared to the riches we find in Christ, just as Nanding Balingit, the saints, and martyrs have experienced.
Pope Francis exhorted some priests studying in Rome, saying, “I wish for you to go out and proclaim the Gospel of Joy.”
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MISSION SOCIETY OF THE PHILIPPINES.
Today is the Foundation Anniversary of the diocesan-missionary congregation called “Mission Society of the Philippines” (MSP) founded by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) in 1965.
The Missionary Society of the Philippines (MSP) was established in response to the call of the Holy Fathers who had visited the Philippines. The MSP serves as the official missionary arm of the Philippine Catholic Church. For further information about the MSP, you can contact them at the following telephone numbers: 524-2979/524-2977, or visit their website at www.msp.org.ph.
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LAUGH TOGETHER: Announcement: Please place your donation in the envelope along with the name of the deceased person you want remembered. (Note: You will need a larger envelope to fit in a deceased person! The announcer meant to refer to the NAME of the deceased).
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Commentator reads Mass intention: “For the good health and early repose of Mr. Pacheco” Poor Mr. Pacheco! Commentator meant “early recovery, not early repose (death)!”
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An “over-organized” parish priest was always bothered by unholy hour funeral calls. One day, parishioners were treated to a shock of their lives when they saw a notice in the parish bulletin board: “Please DIE on the following schedule: Monday – Friday: 9 – 12 AM; 4 – 7 PM; Sgd. Parish Priest.
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