17th Week in Ordinary Time
02nd August 2023 (Wednesday) Readings and Reflection
Psalter: Week 1
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Exodus 34:29-35
When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses talked with them. Afterwards all the people of Israel came near, and he commanded them all that the Lord had spoken with him in Mount Sinai. And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. Whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would remove the veil, until he came out. And when he came out and told the people of Israel what he was commanded, the people of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face was shining. And Moses would put the veil over his face again, until he went in to speak with him.
Psalm 99:5, 6, 7, 9 (R. see 9c)
R/. You are holy, O Lord our God.
Alleluia
V/. Alleluia R/. Alleluia
V/. I have called you friends, says the Lord; for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
R/. Alleluia
Gospel : Matthew 13:44-46
At that time: Jesus said to the crowds, “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. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
Daily Gospel Reflection
Highlight: Aglow with intimacy!
Guidlines: What makes our life meaningful and joyful is not mere knowledge but the Wisdom to discern the priorities{alertSuccess}
1. We live in a world where there is a “knowledge boom”. This leads to a soaring capacity and adds to life ease and comfort. But at the same time, the tragedy is the decline of wisdom which gives one clarity of priorities to pursue and attain.
2. Many times people unwisely neglect the “treasure” and “pearl” in preference to less worthy things. The man and the merchant in the gospel in wisdom discover and obtain the treasure and pearl. It is because they discern their incomparable value in preference to all the rest.
3. How many so foolishly stick to secondary and worthless things, and discard and lose the treasure and pearl of God’s love and His kingdom!
4. But how to have such wisdom? First of all, wisdom is not something that one acquires by sheer effort. If so, many rich, intelligent, and influential would be rated wise. But often the case is the opposite.
5. Many of these fail to be wise because they do not follow a clear scale of priorities. Moses in the first reading from Exodus 34. 29-35 shows us the way to attain wisdom. It is through profound intimacy with God.
6. We are told that he spoke face-to-face with God. He always listened to God’s voice and totally obeyed His word. The power of this intimacy with God showed itself in the shine of his face. This shine was such that the people could not see Moses directly. He had to put a veil on his face in order to conceal the irresistible glow on his face.
7. But it is interesting to note that whenever he was before God, he removed the veil. This can indicate that there was no veil between God and himself. There was nothing blocking or hidden. Moses was fully open and honest before God. Those who are authentic before God will be without veils. They will shine with the glow of wisdom and holiness!
Practice: Lord, you are our priceless and incomparable treasure and your love and charity are the pearl. Help us to seek them always!{alertSuccess}