Wednesday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Jeremiah 15:10-21, Psalm 59:2-18, Matthew 13:44-46
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” (Matthew 13:44)
If I were to offer you money in exchange for your Christian Faith, how much would that be? How much money would be enough just for you to denounce your relationship with Christ forever?
A young man parked a very expensive car by the road and decided to conduct a social test. He stood by the corner and tried asking a lady out but she bluntly told him she was not interested, and then he started walking towards the car. When the lady noticed he was the owner of the car, she ran to him saying she was now interested. Another lady who initially said her wedding was coming up also ran after him when she noticed his car.
Like these ladies, we are not yet fully converted unless we reach a point where all the money in the world is no longer enough to buy our faith. If God is not a priority in your life, if you cannot let go of everything else like the merchant who sold all his possessions just to buy a field containing a treasure (or just one fine pearl), you do not deserve that kingdom.
Can I really say: “With Jesus alone, I am satisfied?” Am I willing to sacrifice all I have, all my friends and connections, all my possessions just for the sake of being part of God’s kingdom? Can I say with the psalmist today that “God is my refuge in the day of my distress?”
In the face of the persecutions Jeremiah suffered, God assures “they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you.” Do I have such firm confidence in God? Or is it the case that my bank alerts gives me more confidence?
The life of St. Martha teaches us the need for closeness to Jesus. What stops me from cooking even a single meal today to feed one or two poor people around me so that in that way I am feeding Jesus? Remember “When I was hungry, you fed me; now enter into the home of my father.” St. Martha, pray for us.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, help me to live a good life. Amen.
Happy new month. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you.