Shalom

28 Jul Sun	17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
	1 Kgs. 3:5,7-12 Ps. 119:57,72,76-77, 127-128,129-130 Rom. 8:28-30 Mt. 13:44-52 or 44-46

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One of the most popular TV programmes in several countries is 'Who wants to be a millionaire?' The glib answer, of course, is everyone! But today's Scripture readings ask us to reflect on what we really want for our lives. It suggests that what we should be chasing after is the Kingdom. The Kingdom here refers to an environment in which we are surrounded by God's truth and love, peace and freedom, justice and sharing of life's goods. The key to this Kingdom is found in the life and teaching of Jesus. The Gospel suggests that it is the most precious thing we could have. Once we find it, we let go of absolutely everything else. It may come at the end of a long search (the man looking for the perfect pearl) or it may come on us as a surprise (the man finding treasure buried in a field). To know this treasure is to be gifted with true wisdom, which is an insight into the real values of life. This is what Solomon asked for and was blessed by God for not wanting just to be a dollar millionaire. Many of those may find themselves tossed back in the sea as useless fish. The Kingdom is not about what one has but what one shares of oneself with others.

Give me, Lord, the wisdom to understand the true Way to life which comes from You alone.

DAILY OFFERING

Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH

INTENTION
That artists may do all they can to help the men and women of today to discover the signs of God's providential love in creation.
Elaboration

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P R A Y I N G W I T H T H E C H U R C H

INTENTION :	That artists may do all they can to help the men and women of today to discover the signs of God's providential love in creation.
The artist who can sculpt the stones of our heart to bring out the features of Christ is the Holy Spirit. However, he requires our responsiveness and docility. Conversion of heart is a work of an art jointly produced by the Spirit and our freedom. Artists, accustomed to shaping the most diverse materials according to the inspiration of their genius, know well the daily effort required to improve their life that resembles artistic work. Through his artistic creativity the artist accomplishes the task of shaping the "material" of his own humanity and then having dominion over the universe. There is a remarkable similarity between the art of forming oneself and that which takes place in the transformation of matter. God lets himself be glimpsed through the fascination of beauty. Artists can perceive a ray of supreme beauty among the many manifestations of the beautiful. It is then that art becomes a way to God and it spurs the artists to combine their creative talent with their commitment to a life of ever greater conformity to the divine law. Living profoundly their Christian faith, artists are encouraged to give birth to new "epiphanies" of the divine beauty reflected in creation.
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