Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Ex 34:29-35; PS 99:5, 6, 7, 9; Mt 13:44-46
Notes: I pray you know the glow of love in your life. Divine love, marital love, brotherly and sisterly love. May your love be both hidden and public.
First reading
As Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the commandments in his hands, he did not know that the skin of his face had become radiant while he conversed with the LORD.
Being veiled around the people and unveiled in the presence of the Lord is of itself worthy of contemplation. But then when you read more closely you discover:
Moses took the veil off when speaking to the people about and on behalf of the Lord. After he had spoken, he would put the veil on.
Love is like that.
Some aspects of love are meant to be shared with all. The joy, the radiance, the purpose and the shared destiny.
Some aspects are meant only for the beloved. The hidden part of love that belongs to he beloved alone. The inner essence that is reserved for you and you alone. It is the place of intimacy that is yours and yours alone.
Responsorial Psalm
Holy is the Lord our God.
Alleluia Verse
I call you my friends, says the Lord,
for I have made known to you all that the Father has told me.
Gospel Portion
Love makes you glow.
There is no doubt about it.
You can see it in a person’s eyes, the twinkle.
You can see it in a person’s posture, confident.
You can see it in a person’s smile, ear-to-ear.
You can see it in a person’s face, an interior glow that has no origin but itself.
In today’s gospel portion Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven in two ways using two parables. Both are expressions and reactions to love.
Hidden Treasure
[As] treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
The deep, hidden and personal divine love that is meant for you and you alone from the Lord. It is for you to remain hidden in your heart. So fulfilling this love you abandon the ordinary good to keep and protect this divine love. This is your ultimate treasure.
Public Pearl
[As one searches for fine pearls], when he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”
This pearl is not to be hidden. It is to be shared. A shared Joy. A shared testimony. A shared hope.
Hidden and public.
I remember a retreat I participated in that was a watershed spiritual experience for me. Later, sharing the experience with a woman’s group, I invited them to attend the next iteration of the woman’s retreat.
There was a woman there who doubted interiorly. On that day, my spirit was open and I could hear her inner thoughts. I looked straight at her and said, “Yes, Jesus wants you to come. Stop doubting and believe”.
I wanted her to have the hidden treasure meant only for her. I shared my pearls.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Deacon Gerry Palermo 