July 25, 1999 |
The Gospel for this Sunday continues the series of parables of Jesus which we have been hearing these past Sundays. In the first section of the Gospel we have really two parables: the buried treasure and the pearl of great price. The second parable is another lesson about the end of time and the last judgement, which is similar to the parable of the weeds and the wheat of this past Sunday. The NAVARRE BIBLE COMMENTARY has the following reflection on these parables: In these two parables Jesus shows the supreme value of the Kingdom of Heaven, and the attitude people need if they are to attain it. The parables are very alike, but it is interesting to note the differences: the treasure means abundance of gifts; the pearl indicates the beauty of the Kingdom. The treasure is something stumbled upon; the pearl, the result of a lengthy search; but in both instances the finder is filled with joy. Faith, vocation, true wisdom, desire for heaven, are things which sometimes are discovered suddenly and unexpectedly, and sometimes after much searching. However, the man's attitude is the same in both parables and is described in the same terms: he goes and sells all that he has and buys it: detachment, generosity, is indispensable for obtaining the treasure. The Scriptures remind us that God can act in unexpected ways in our lives, and teach us quite dramatically about things which we already knew, but perhaps took for granted, such as the importance of Faith, gratitude, joy, and our eternal destiny. The question for us to ponder this weekend, is, are our eyes and hearts open to the possibility of God working in our lives in such a way, and do we appreciate and treasure our gift of Faith?
This Sunday's readings speak about values, priorities and opportunities to discover and acquire treasures. The Gospel offers parables about treasures hidden in fields, pearls, fishing nets, etc. In the first reading the Lord appears to King Solomon in a dream and offers the golden opportunity to ask for anything and God would grant him his heart's desire. To his credit Solomon doesn't waste his opportunity by asking for the trappings of fame, wealth, power or success, rather he requests of God an "understanding heart." Solomon's exemplary wisdom invites us "to be careful what you wish for or pray for." Wishes, desires and prayers should be discerned and tuned by the Spirit's gift of wisdom and discernment that offers a healthy value system and priorities. Exemplary wisdom is also featured in this Sunday's Gospel. In the man who sold all he had to purchase a field where he had discovered a buried treasure and in the merchant who similarly divested himself in order to purchase one really valuable pearl, believers learn that the supreme value of the reign of God is worth any risk and sacrifice. (Celebrations, July 25, 1999)
For the first three centuries of the Church there was no particular disciplinary law regarding attendance at Mass. Christians enthusiastically attended the weekly assembly out of deep love and devotion to Christ's resurrection and an expectation that He was soon to return. Eventually this dedication waned. You read of the Church's concern regarding this in some of St. Paul's letters and in the letter to the Hebrews. Both admonish members not to neglect the assembly.
By the 13th century it became a common law of the Church and was made an obligation in the 1917 Code of Canon Law that the faithful over seven years of age must be present to "hear" the Mass unless dispensed or excused for a serious reason. The present code states that the faithful have an obligation to be an active presence. We are not just to "hear" but to participate in the Mass.
With this series of historical vignettes we review the history of the parish and archdiocese.
In a secret treaty in 1800 Spain gave back to France the territory that France had ceded to Spain in 1762, although France never formally took over the country, which became part of the territory sold to the United States by Napoleon in 1803.
Major Amos Stoddard was instructed to proceed to St. Louis and take over his position as Governor of Upper Louisiana.
It was decided to transfer the government at St. Louis from Spain back to France and then, from France to the United States. Accordingly, the Morning of March 9, 1804 American troops crossed river from Cahokia. Major Stoddard and Captain Meriwether Lewis led American troops to the government house where Don Carlos handed over to Major Stoddard the keys of the government in behalf of France. A salvo of cannon fire shook St. Louis. The Spanish flag was lowered. As the lilies of France flashed in the sun, the Creoles burst into cheers, because for forty years they had not seen that flag, the emblem of their native land.
Cannons roared and swords were waved. Major Stoddard allowed the French flag to fly through the night. All night long a guard of honor kept vigil around the flag and the log church was filled with worshippers. That was the last day of France in North America.
The drums gave a long funeral roll as the French flag was lowered, but when the Stars and Stripes, our flag, was unfurled, the fifes struck into lively music to the roll of drums. In three days three flags had flown over St. Louis.
I would like to reflect today on the request of Salomon in the first reading, KGS 3,9: Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.
Salomon was known to be a wise king, that is, he judged the situations not to his own advantage but for the good and according to God's will. This is a quality that still serves us well today. There is often the temptation to seek the quickest, easiest solution. It might serve the moment but is not the best in the long run.
As followers of Jesus Christ we, too, need to keep the bigger picture in perspective. How do we go about making decisions? Do we just seek people who agree with us? What the culture approves? The Word of God?
Do we ever seriously consider the teachings of the church?
What Salomon asks for in prayer is to do what is right, and more so what is God's will. For us that will has been revealed by the Lord Jesus and continues to be clarified in the church through the teaching of the Holy Father and the bishops.
The challenges are true. We need to put our trust in those whom God has given us to help us come to wisdom.
Fr. Ron
T.V. Guide this past week published the discussions that took place in Hollywood among a number of top directors and producers about the effects of violence in the media. Among the participants was Father Elwood Kieser who produced the Christopher program for 30 years, as well as the movie Romeo. Here is a part of what he had to say:
"I'm much more concerned about taking violence out of context than the mere portrayal of it. The Hollywood industry was very responsible when they became aware of racial and gender sterotypes. And we helped change things that way. We were very responsible with cigarettes, and now you're a pariah if you smoke in public. I think the industry has to do the same thing with violence. We need to see the sickness from which it arises...We also need to see the lethal effects, not only on the victim, but on the victim's family and on the perpetrator...The third thing we need to do is dramatize non-violent ways of resolving conflicts."
by Pope John Paul II.
The Work of Mothers... Experience confirms that there must be a social reevaluation of the mother's role, of the toil connected with it, and of the need that children have for care, love, and affection in order that they may develop into responsible, morally and religiously mature, and psychologically stable persons. It will redound to the credit of society to make it possible for a mother-without inhibiting her freedom, without psychological or practical discrimination, and without penalizing her as compared with other women-to devote herself to taking care of her children and educating them in accordance with their needs, which vary with age. Having to abandon these tasks in order to take up paid work outside the home is wrong from the point of view of the good of society and of the family when it contradicts or hinders these primary goals of the mission of a mother...
The true advancement of women requires that labor should be structured in such a way that women do not have to pay for their advancement by abandoning what is specific to them and at the expense of the family, in which women as mothers have an irreplaceable role. (LE n. 19]
THEME: PEARL OF WISDOM: As a young adult, when I thought my choice of vocation was a given and didn't wonder much about God's choice, I dreamed of serving in the Peace Corps. I was challenged by the world, its hungry and helpless. God had a different vocation in mind, a smaller world. It consists of a handful of children, a husband, pets and some relatives. I feed them when they're hungry and share the Good News with them. I think of Solomon each day as I face the challenges of my vocation. Solomon asked God for the gift of wisdom. The gift is a priceless jewel that each of us needs to carry out the responsibilities of our simple and ordinary worlds.
Life is a journey. Paths already traveled can't change. The road ahead is both mystery and adventure. Each of us travels differently. Some are very careful planners. Details are worked and reworked. Others are more spontaneous. For all of us, travel we must. I think Shakespeare had this in mind when he said all the world is a stage and and we are the actors. For some the journey is just beginning. They are not afraid of risk or thrills and often live at the very edge of life. Others have learned the beauty of a tranquil sunset and willingly settle for subtle enjoyments. No matter, our plans encounter detours. How tragic or comic is mostly our choice. Tragedy ends sadly, while comedy finds a positive answer. God intends happy endings. Originally, we were created in an environment of paradise. He gifted us with free choice and turned the stage over to us. He overestimated the quality of the actors...and the apple was eaten. Cain slew Abel. Tragedy begot tragedy. Jesus reminds us that it doesn't have to be that way. Happy endings are possible. Judas destroyed himself because he didn't believe forgiveness possible. Peter overcame betrayal when he forcefully shouted love of the Lord. One chooses tragedy, the other comedy. Wanderers are found everywhere, even in Church. That's why one week Jesus speaks to us about temptation and the next week, transformation. It's OK to wander but even the wanderer has to make choices. You cannot simply stop the world to get off. So as long as the journey goes on, why not be a happy wanderer?
Father Michael Doyle, OSM
1) 1 Kings 3, 5.7-12
2) Romans 8, 28-30
3) Matthew 13, 44-52
Okay, so you've always wanted your own genie in a lamp to grant your three wishes. Let's say you walk out of the room just now and there it is! What is it you really want? The truly remarkable thing about human beings is that they usually ask for something they already have-sometimes, in fact for something they have too much of already. King Solomon (1) plays it safe. He might have asked for wealth for himself or for his people, but wealth attracts thieves and the wealth might have been taken away. He might have asked for political power, but there is always a danger of coup or revolution. Solomon asked for wisdom which gave him skill in the marketplace and in the affairs of the nation. He died a wealthy man and a king. We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love him...... (2). The pearl of the greatest price, the treasure of greatest value (3) is best offered us when our wish and our prayer is now and everywhere Your will be done.
