Question of the Week, July 26, 2020, Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
My Grandma Hovey, a nurse by profession, often said, “If you have your health, you have everything.” Would you agree? After coming through a challenging spring-into-summer, I suspect that many of our definitions of what we truly need, of what is most important, have shifted. For many of us, the forced shelter-in-place has been a call to return to what is essential: time together—playing, praying, talking, sharing meals; reconnecting with family members and friends; and finding new (and fun!) ways to celebrate graduations, birthdays, anniversaries, and life events.
For many, these have been challenging months: jobs lost, childcare unavailable, home as the classroom, and dreams for the future put on hold. We hope for a steady income and benefits, the resumption of school and parish life, and a return to face-to-face time with family members and friends.
Whatever our circumstances, today’s Gospel (Matthew 13:44-52) encourages us to keep our hearts always set on the true treasure: The Word of God revealed in Jesus Christ. In today’s Word we hear “Ask something of me and I will give it to you” (1 Kings 3:5), “We know that all things work for good for those who love God” (Romans 8:28), and “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field” (Matthew 13:44).
In the coming week, think about your own answer to today’s question. Choose one of the three Scripture verses and make it your prayer throughout the week. See what treasure the Lord has in store for you!
Mary Sellars Malloy has over forty years’ experience as a Catholic educator and lay minister. She is a frequent workshop presenter on the topics of prayer, liturgy, spirituality, the Sacraments, and the RCIA. In addition, Mary leads retreats and parish missions throughout the country. Her goal is to encourage Catholics of all ages to appreciate and to live their Catholic faith.Product Recommendation
Our Family Devotions
This book celebrates the many ways people of different cultures express the Catholic faith in their churches, neighborhoods, and homes. As the Good News of Jesus spread around the world, people in every culture found special ways to express their faith in God. Through the ritual words and gestures of popular devotions, Catholics show their love for God and devotion to Mary and the saints.
Some popular devotions begin with a message that is given to a person and then shared with others. Many traditions grow from the blending of the Catholic faith with a cultural celebration. Although the prayers and rituals may be adapted to meet the spiritual needs of a culture, all popular devotions are intended to help people recognize God’s love for them and grow in their love for God.
It is our prayer that through this book your family will experience God in new ways in your everyday lives. May the diverse and rich traditions of families and the Church from around the world lead you to find new ways of living out your faith. May the beauty of these devotions remind us that we are one family in Jesus Christ, sharing God’s love in our homes, churches, and communities.