Treasures of Healing and Humility

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time and World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, challenge us to look into our heritage for the gifts of patience, humility, and charity that are the treasures that have brought healing and hope.

The Reading from the First Book (1 Kings, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.) of Kings presents the Early Promise of Solomon’s Reign.

* [3:1–15] The third major unit of the Solomon story depicts the bright beginning of his reign. It includes the narrator’s remarks about Solomon’s marriage and his building projects, and a divine appearance to Solomon. Compare 11:1–13, where the same themes recur, but in negative fashion. The story of the divine appearance is told also in 2 Chr 1:1–13. (1 Kings, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 119 praises God for giving such splendid laws and instruction for people to live by.

* [Psalm 119] This Psalm, the longest by far in the Psalter, praises God for giving such splendid laws and instruction for people to live by. The author glorifies and thanks God for the Torah, prays for protection from sinners enraged by others’ fidelity to the law, laments the cost of obedience, delights in the law’s consolations, begs for wisdom to understand the precepts, and asks for the rewards of keeping them. Several expected elements do not appear in the Psalm: Mount Sinai with its story of God’s revelation and gift to Israel of instruction and commandments, the Temple and other institutions related to revelation and laws (frequent in other Psalms). The Psalm is fascinated with God’s word directing and guiding human life. (Psalms, PSALM 119 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans proclaims God’s Indomitable Love in Christ.

* [8:28–30] These verses outline the Christian vocation as it was designed by God: to be conformed to the image of his Son, who is to be the firstborn among many brothers (Rom 8:29). God’s redemptive action on behalf of the believers has been in process before the beginning of the world. Those whom God chooses are those he foreknew (Rom 8:29) or elected. Those who are called (Rom 8:30) are predestined or predetermined. These expressions do not mean that God is arbitrary. Rather, Paul uses them to emphasize the thought and care that God has taken for the Christian’s salvation.

* [8:28] We know that all things work for good for those who love God: a few ancient authorities have God as the subject of the verb, and some translators render: “We know that God makes everything work for good for those who love God….”

* [8:29] Image: while man and woman were originally created in God’s image (Gn 1:26–27), it is through baptism into Christ, the image of God (2 Cor 4:4; Col 1:15), that we are renewed according to the image of the Creator (Col 3:10). (Romans, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches more Parables and praises Treasures New and Old.

* [13:44–50] The first two of the last three parables of the discourse have the same point. The person who finds a buried treasure and the merchant who finds a pearl of great price sell all that they have to acquire these finds; similarly, the one who understands the supreme value of the kingdom gives up whatever he must to obtain it. The joy with which this is done is made explicit in the first parable, but it may be presumed in the second also. The concluding parable of the fishnet resembles the explanation of the parable of the weeds with its stress upon the final exclusion of evil persons from the kingdom.

* [13:44] In the unsettled conditions of Palestine in Jesus’ time, it was not unusual to guard valuables by burying them in the ground.

* [13:51] Matthew typically speaks of the understanding of the disciples.

* [13:52] Since Matthew tends to identify the disciples and the Twelve (see note on Mt 10:1), this saying about the Christian scribe cannot be taken as applicable to all who accept the message of Jesus. While the Twelve are in many ways representative of all who believe in him, they are also distinguished from them in certain respects. The church of Matthew has leaders among whom are a group designated as “scribes” (Mt 23:34). Like the scribes of Israel, they are teachers. It is the Twelve and these their later counterparts to whom this verse applies. The scribe…instructed in the kingdom of heaven knows both the teaching of Jesus (the new) and the law and prophets (the old) and provides in his own teaching both the new and the old as interpreted and fulfilled by the new. On the translation head of a household (for the same Greek word translated householder in Mt 13:27), see note on Mt 24:45–51. (Matthew, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB, n.d.)

Candice Tucci, OSF,  asks What is this pearl of great price or the treasure in the field?

I was walking up the hill to what is known as Merton’s Heart. It is a clearing on the hillside in the shape of a heart where Thomas Merton would go. Perhaps he went to pray, write, reflect or just enjoy the beauty of the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains. While climbing to “the heart”, I found an eagle feather. My heart leapt as this sacred feather was a gift, a treasure in a field, that united me with the love and presence of God. For Native Americans, the eagle, waŋblíin (in the Lakota language) is a sacred messenger of Wakáŋ Táŋka (the Great Spirit) symbolizing the virtues of courage, strength, wisdom, and gifted with spiritual power.  It was 44 years ago I found this treasure in a field. I still have it. A gift given to me from our Creator. It is a symbol and always a reminder to me of my union with God, Jesus, the Spirit, who dwells within me.  Jesus has been my partner in life and ministry. We have walked the sacred path, the road of, in and to the Kingdom of God together. We continue to walk, as Black Elk, Sioux spiritual elder wrote, in a sacred manner.
 

Have you found the treasure that is yours forever? The Holy, Sacred Divine Kingdom?  Go deep into your heart. There the love of our Creator, in Christ and the Spirit, Wisdom, is waiting to be found. We seek the treasure and God finds us. We are God’s people, citizens of the kingdom of God. May we be attentive to this kingdom at hand and within us. It is for everyone and for us to nurture it.  It is for both the old and the new. May we be a civilization of love. May we know Wisdom. May we be heaven on earth!
Welcome to the kingdom! What a treasure!
Thank you, God!
A song for praying: I Found a Treasure - Dan Schutte (Tucci, 2026)
 

The Surpassing Treasure of God's Kingdom

Don Schwager quotes “The surpassing gift of love,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is said to be like a merchant who is seeking fine pearls. He finds one really precious pearl, and, having found it, he sells everything he has in order to buy it. In the same way, he who has a clear knowledge of the sweetness of heavenly life gladly leaves behind all the things he loved on earth. Compared with that pearl, everything else fades in value. He forsakes those things that he has and scatters those things that he has gathered. His heart yearns for heavenly things, and nothing on earth pleases him. The allure of earthly things has now dissipated, for only the brilliance of that precious pearl dazzles his mind. Solomon justly says of such love, 'Love is strong as death' (Song of Solomon 8:6 ), because just as death destroys the body, so ardent desire for eternal life cuts off the love for material things. For love makes insensitive to extraneous earthly desires the person whom it has swept off his feet." (excerpt from FORTY GOSPEL HOMILIES 11.2.1)(Schwager, n.d.)

Meditations may be freely reprinted for non-commercial use - please cite:  copyright © 2026 Servants of the Word, source:  dailyscripture.net, author Don Schwager.

Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the Readings for today.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 13:44-52 comments that we need to see Jesus’ teachings and his acts of healing and mercy in the light of God’s centuries-long covenant relationship with the people of Israel.

Christianity didn’t come from nowhere. It is a living outgrowth of everything that came before in God’s relationship with mankind, especially with Israel. If you want to see the richness of God’s plan, pay attention to the Old Testament! Matthew’s Gospel is a great resource. Keep your eyes open for the times when Jesus fulfills something that has been promised. Spend time praying with those passages. And become like a “scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven” by putting together the old and the new (Matthew 13:52).

“Jesus, I want to know the richness of all that you’ve done for me and for all people!” (Meditation on Matthew 13:44-52, n.d.)

In Love with Scripture

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, recalls how he first fell in love with Scripture and devoted himself to its study. Reading the Bible, we can recognize how true it is that only those who know their need for the Beloved know how to receive the gift of the Beloved without misusing such love. 

A mutually admitted emptiness is the ultimate safety net for all love, and in the Scriptures, even God is presented as somehow “needing” us, and even “jealous” for our love (Exodus 20:5; 34:14). Basically, love works only inside humility. My father, Saint Francis, fell in love with the “humility” of God, as exemplified through Jesus, a word that most of us would not even think could apply to God.

Fullness or complete self-satisfaction in a person cannot permit love because there are no openings, no give-and-take, and no deep hunger. It is like trying to attach two inflated balloons to one another. Human vulnerability gives the soul an immense head start on its travels—maybe the only start for any true spiritual journey. Thus, the Risen Christ starts us off by revealing the human wounds of God, God’s solidarity with human suffering. God begins with self-disclosure from the divine side, which ideally leads to self-disclosure from our side. (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the inspiration of the Spirit to ponder the healing of love and care we receive from Grandparents and the Elderly who share wisdom and understanding that shows how God turns all things to good through Love.

References

Matthew, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 26, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/13?44 

Meditation on Matthew 13:44-52. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved July 26, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/07/26/1631380/ 

1 Kings, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 26, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1kings/3? 

Psalms, PSALM 119 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 26, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/119? 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). In Love with Scripture. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 26, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/ 

Romans, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 26, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/8? 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Surpassing Treasure of God's Kingdom. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 26, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Tucci, C. (2026, July 26). Daily Reflection July 26, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved July 26, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-july-26-2026 

Grow with the Seed of Faith

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to sow the seeds of love and seek the generosity and patience needed for growth from our sowing.

Seeds and Separation of Weeds

The Reading from the Book of Wisdom offers a warning about defying God.

* [12:17] The brunt of divine anger and justice is borne by those who know God but defy divine authority and might. Cf. 1:2; 15:2, but also 12:27; 18:13. (Wisdom, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 86 is an individual lament of the psalmist.

* [Psalm 86] An individual lament. The psalmist, “poor and oppressed” (Ps 86:1), “devoted” (Ps 86:2), “your servant” (Ps 86:2, 4, 16), “rescued…from the depths of Sheol” (Ps 86:13), attacked by the ruthless (Ps 86:14), desires only God’s protection (Ps 86:1–7, 11–17). (Psalms, PSALM 86 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans proclaims that after patient endurance in steadfast expectation, the full harvest of the Spirit’s presence will be realized.

* [8:18–27] The glory that believers are destined to share with Christ far exceeds the sufferings of the present life. Paul considers the destiny of the created world to be linked with the future that belongs to the believers. As it shares in the penalty of corruption brought about by sin, so also will it share in the benefits of redemption and future glory that comprise the ultimate liberation of God’s people (Rom 8:19–22). After patient endurance in steadfast expectation, the full harvest of the Spirit’s presence will be realized. On earth believers enjoy the firstfruits, i.e., the Spirit, as a guarantee of the total liberation of their bodies from the influence of the rebellious old self (Rom 8:23). (Romans, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches using Parables of the Weeds Among the Wheat, the Mustard Seed, the Yeast and explains the Parables..

* [13:24–30] This parable is peculiar to Matthew. The comparison in Mt 13:24 does not mean that the kingdom of heaven may be likened simply to the person in question but to the situation narrated in the whole story. The refusal of the householder to allow his slaves to separate the wheat from the weeds while they are still growing is a warning to the disciples not to attempt to anticipate the final judgment of God by a definitive exclusion of sinners from the kingdom. In its present stage it is composed of the good and the bad. The judgment of God alone will eliminate the sinful. Until then there must be patience and the preaching of repentance.

* [13:25] Weeds: darnel, a poisonous weed that in its first stage of growth resembles wheat.

* [13:30] Harvest: a common biblical metaphor for the time of God’s judgment; cf. Jer 51:33; Jl 4:13; Hos 6:11.

* [13:31–33] See Mk 4:30–32; Lk 13:18–21. The parables of the mustard seed and the yeast illustrate the same point: the amazing contrast between the small beginnings of the kingdom and its marvelous expansion.

* [13:32] See Dn 4:7–9, 17–19 where the birds nesting in the tree represent the people of Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom. See also Ez 17:23; 31:6.

* [13:33] Except in this Q parable and in Mt 16:12, yeast (or “leaven”) is, in New Testament usage, a symbol of corruption (see Mt 16:6, 11–12; Mk 8:15; Lk 12:1; 1 Cor 5:6–8; Gal 5:9). Three measures: an enormous amount, enough to feed a hundred people. The exaggeration of this element of the parable points to the greatness of the kingdom’s effect.

* [13:34] Only in parables: see Mt 13:10–15.

* [13:35] The prophet: some textual witnesses read “Isaiah the prophet.” The quotation is actually from Ps 78:2; the first line corresponds to the LXX text of the psalm. The psalm’s title ascribes it to Asaph, the founder of one of the guilds of temple musicians. He is called “the prophet” (NAB “the seer”) in 2 Chr 29:30, but it is doubtful that Matthew averted to that; for him, any Old Testament text that could be seen as fulfilled in Jesus was prophetic.

* [13:36] Dismissing the crowds: the return of Jesus to the house marks a break with the crowds, who represent unbelieving Israel. From now on his attention is directed more and more to his disciples and to their instruction. The rest of the discourse is addressed to them alone.

* [13:37–43] In the explanation of the parable of the weeds emphasis lies on the fearful end of the wicked, whereas the parable itself concentrates on patience with them until judgment time.

* [13:38] The field is the world: this presupposes the resurrection of Jesus and the granting to him of “all power in heaven and on earth” (Mt 28:18).

* [13:39] The end of the age: this phrase is found only in Matthew (13:40, 49; 24:3; 28:20).

* [13:41] His kingdom: the kingdom of the Son of Man is distinguished from that of the Father (Mt 13:43); see 1 Cor 15:24–25. The church is the place where Jesus’ kingdom is manifested, but his royal authority embraces the entire world; see note on Mt 13:38.

* [13:43] See Dn 12:3. (Matthew, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB, n.d.)

*

Rev. Kent Beausoleil, SJ, comments that in the end then, we find our hope through Jesus to be strong in love, for the spirit indeed does come in aid of our weakness.  In every human being, every human being, there is a soul that is longing and groaning for the truth. Let the Spirit come.

We all long for what is right and good. We all know this feeling. Let the Spirit come.  We can bury it. We can hide it. We can medicate it. We can do all kinds of things to push it away. Let the Spirit come.  

 

For there is an unrest or uneasiness with things that are not the way they are supposed to be. Let the Spirit come.  So, this day and always may we continue to find hope in a God who encourages us with the powerful truth that God’s love for us, all of us, will never die.  As God is merciful, we are called to be merciful, to judge not, to let the kingdom come, and wherever and whenever we are weak in love, weak in loving ourselves or others, we have a holy spirit that will come.  Let the spirit come then.  Let it come.  Let it come!  LET IT COME! (Beausoleil, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes “Faith as a grain of mustard,” by Jerome (347-420 AD).

"The man who sows in his field is interpreted by many as the Savior. He sows in the souls of believers. By others he is interpreted as one who sows in his field - that is to say, in himself and in his heart. Who is it that sows if not our mind and heart? They take up the grain of preaching and nurture the plant with the moisture of faith, making it sprout and shoot up in the field of the heart. The preaching of faith in the gospel appears to be least among all tasks. Indeed, anyone who preaches the God-man of truth, Christ who died, and the stumbling block of the cross may not think immediately of mere faith as the primary doctrine. Put this particular doctrine side by side with the teachings of the philosophers, their books, their splendid eloquence and fine discourses, and you will see just how small it is compared with the other seeds of the gospel plant. When those teachings grow, they have nothing to show that is pungent or vigorous or vital. Everything turns out weak and withering in a plant and in herbs that quickly dry up and fall to the ground. But when this tiny gospel teaching that seemed insignificant at the beginning has been planted either in the soul of the believer or throughout the world, it does not turn out to be just a plant. It grows into a tree, so that the birds of the air, which we interpret as the souls of believers or deeds dedicated to the service of God, come and dwell on its branches." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 2.13.31)

[Jerome (347-420 AD) was an early church Bible scholar who translated the entire Bible from the original Hebrew and Greek texts into the common language of his day (Latin)]. (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the Book of Wisdom speaks about the might of God .Yet God enlivens justice with mercy. Mercy is not weakness. and not a weak virtue. We are to exercise mercy when people are not worthy of it. Spirit, the love between the Father and the Son, teaches us how to pray as relational prayers to build true love. The Spirit reveals how to pray and what to pray for. The Gospel of Matthew presents parables dealing with the Kingdom of Heaven. It is likely the final editor of Matthew was a Pharisee and uses the Kingdom of Heaven. instead of the Kingdom of God. The farmer has his field filled with weeds from the enemy. Jesus teaches to wait until the harvest so evil people are given time to have the opportunity to convert .The will be a reckoning, in Matthew’s Gospel. The mustard seed is very small but grows to fill the garden. Friar Jude suggests that by smiling and forgoing criticism of someone it may be like the butterfly effect and change the course of the world over time. He also notes that considering mustard is a very invasive plant in the garden this may be a not so subtle message, like yeast in dough. Do small things and change the entire world.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 13:24-43 comments that God’s work may have such tiny, unimpressive beginnings and grow so slowly that we barely notice it. This tends to be true in our spiritual lives, too. That kind of growth is often hidden, like the yeast that the woman put into “three measures” of flour (Matthew 13:33). We may not see dramatic signs of Christian maturity in ourselves or our loved ones right away. On the contrary, it can be easy to spot the “weeds” in our lives and our world that seem to take root and grow so quickly. And that can be discouraging!

That’s why Jesus encourages us to remember the mustard seed. He wants us to trust in the goodness of the seed of faith he has placed within us and in his Church. He wants us to keep looking for the green shoots of his kingdom. And he wants us to keep asking for the grace to nurture their growth in ourselves and the people around us.

So don’t worry! God’s work often starts off small and slow. He is faithful, and his seed will bear fruit!

“Lord Jesus, thank you that your grace is always at work. Help me to see it.” (Meditation on Matthew 13:24-43, n.d.)

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, explains why both action and contemplation are part of a fully articulated life of faith. The most important word in our Center’s name is not Action, nor is it Contemplation; it’s the word and. We need both compassionate action and contemplative practice for the spiritual journey. Without action, our spirituality becomes lifeless and bears no authentic fruit. Without contemplation, all our doing comes from ego, even if it looks selfless, and it can cause more harm than good.

The contemplative, nondual mind is not saying, “Everything is beautiful,” even when it’s not. However, we may come to “Everything is still beautiful” by contemplatively facing the conflict between how reality is and how we wish it could be. We must face dualistic problems, name good and evil, and differentiate between right and wrong. We can’t be naive about evil, but if we stay focused on this duality, we’ll become unlovable, judgmental, dismissive people. I’ve witnessed this pattern in myself. We must eventually find a bigger field, a wider frame, which is nondual thinking.  

Beginning with necessary, dualistic action and moving toward contemplation seems to be the more common—and for some, perhaps the more trustworthy—path these days. We see this pattern in Dorothy Day, Thomas Merton, Martin Luther King, Jr., Saint (Mother) Teresa of Calcutta, and many others. Such people enter into the pain of society and have to go to God to find rest for their soul, because their souls are so torn by the broken, split nature of almost everything, including themselves. (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the guidance of the Spirit as we act in our environment among weeds with our seeds of faith, hope and charity and the humility and patience of Jesus to contemplate our actions with intent to be more like Christ in our mission.

References

Beausoleil, K. (2026, July 19). Daily Reflection July 19, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved July 19, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-july-19-2026 

Matthew, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved July 19, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/13?24 

Meditation on Matthew 13:24-43. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved July 19, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/07/19/1626334/ 

Psalms, PSALM 86 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved July 19, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/86?5 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 19, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/action-and-contemplation/ 

Romans, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved July 19, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/8?26 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Righteous Will Shine like the Sun in the Kingdom of Their Father. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 19, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Wisdom, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 19, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/wisdom/12?