Around the time that the gold rushes ended in the nineteenth-century West, a curious phenomenon arose in New England known as money diggers. These were men who roamed the countryside with shovels, divining rods, and superstitious hope, convinced that treasure lay buried beneath their feet. Surely there must be gold under our feet. But there was not. The craze of these wild goose chases caused many to lose farms, families, and sanity.
In this week’s Gospel, Jesus inaugurates a new era of spiritual money digging. He announces, “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field.” He invites us to become treasure seekers who search in the right place. What is of greatest value is not money beneath our feet, but the infinite treasure hidden deep in the humanity of Jesus himself, God’s own blessed life. The glory of heaven lies veiled in his ordinary life, his teaching, his suffering, his Church.
This teaching about the Kingdom changes things. Now we see the Church’s doctrinal and moral teachings are not arbitrary rules. They are a treasure map. Follow them, and we will uncover divine happiness. Ignore them, and we will wander aimlessly, spade in hand, digging in empty fields, discouraged.
Where have we wasted energy seeking treasure in the wrong places? How have we given up on seeking the treasure of truly finding God’s love for us? If so, let us repent of both. Then let us dust off our shovels and get back to digging deep into the field of Christ Jesus and his Church. After all, He never ceases seeking his treasure in us.
— Father John Muir
©LPi
General Mass Notes
Welcome
Good afternoon and welcome to St. Joseph,
As we begin our liturgy, we would like to extend a special welcome to everyone visiting our parish for the first time. We also warmly welcome all of you who are here today. We are so grateful and blessed to have you with us. As we settle in and prepare our hearts for Mass, please take a moment to make sure your cell phones are turned off so as not to disturb our prayer.
(Wait a few seconds to allow people to turn off their phones)
Let us now take a moment to prepare for Mass and open our hearts and minds to the message we will hear today. The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and for…
Please stand and greet those beside you.
Mass Intentions
Universal Prayer (Petitions)
A. For Pope Leo, bishops, and pastors, that they may be blessed with understanding hearts so that they may exercise the wisdom of Solomon when making judgments and decisions, let us pray to the Lord.
B. That leaders in government here and around the world may emulate Solomon’s humility and wisdom in considering the consequences of their actions and distinguishing right from wrong, let us pray to the Lord.
C. For grandparents, great-grandparents, and all seniors, that they may be respected for the wisdom of their experience and loved for their understanding hearts, let us pray to the Lord.
D. That we may grow in wisdom and understanding as we listen to God’s word, prayerfully reflect on it, and apply it in our lives, let us pray to the Lord.
E. For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, and for (read all intentions from 1st page), let us pray to the Lord.
Announcements
Our Señor de los Milagros ministry is having a food sale today. Proceeds from the food sale will be used for their annual procession in October.
Fr. Gustavo will be leading a pilgrimage to El Salvador and Guatemala this coming October. If you are interested in joining, there will be a meeting this afternoon (Sunday) at 3:30pm in Guadalupe Hall.
