Faith Daily | 27 July 2022

PRAYER of the DAY - APBA p565

O God, the protector of all that trust in you,

without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy:

increase and multiply upon us your mercy,

that, with you as our ruler and guide,

we may so pass through things temporal

that we finally lose not the things eternal.

Grant this, O heavenly Father,

for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen

GOSPEL for the Day: Matthew 13: 44-46

44“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; 46on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

GOSPEL REFLECTION: Virginia Hasker

Jesus is trying to describe ‘the Kingdom of Heaven’. He is trying to provide a picture that his listeners could understand. He has done this repeatedly as reported in all the Gospels.

So I have reflected on what I believe is ‘the Kingdom of Heaven’. How would I

describe it?

The ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field’ (v 44) could be a beautiful orchid growing on a tree which is hidden by a clump of trees so that it isn’t obvious. It is only seen when someone walks into the clump. It could be a flowering ground orchid, so delicate and perfect in its fragility, hiding in a clump of long grass. It could also be a rare bird’s nest full of little chicks, with parents in attendance. The wonder and amazement of God’s creation here in our midst, but which is so perfect that it displays the beauty, wonder and creativity of God.

‘The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls’ (v45) – such beautiful things, and made in a ‘secret’ environment. Pearls are made by marine oysters and freshwater mussels as a natural defence against an irritant such as a parasite entering their shell. The oyster or mussel slowly secretes layers of aragonite and conchiolin around it so that it doesn’t irritate any more. There is something amazingly beautiful about a pearl with its soft colour, beautiful lustre and delicate appearance. It’s made entirely by the oyster, and no enhancement is required by man. A wonder of God’s creation from the sea.

I find the Kingdom of Heaven is all around us, in the beautiful day, the natural beauty of flowers, trees, water and landscapes around us. The sunrise and sunset, the touch of a cool breeze, the envelopment of beautiful water. The warmth in the greeting of a friend or an act of kindness. To be aware of the Kingdom of God we need to stop, look, slow down and tune in to God, use our senses to find His kingdom in the world around us, and in the relationships that we have been blessed with. When we experience it, it’s a priceless gift.

FINAL PRAYER from ‘A Single Flower’ by Susan Wood

Morning Angel

Standing in the sun,

Wisps of mist curled

About his feet,

The ocean’s flawless blue

Hung from his shoulders

As a robe,

Great wings of light

Rose into the air,

His hair a sunlit cloud,

His face –

His face the glory of the morning.

Amen