I have always been intrigued by the idea of buried treasure. I have devoured books, movies and real-life documentaries about adventures in search of forgotten gold, complete with desert islands and ancient maps with a proverbial “X” that marks the spot.
St. Ignatius of Loyola discovered the great treasure of his life by reading books while convalescing from a battle injury. The stories of Jesus’ life and the lives of the saints (the only two books available to him) awakened in him a great desire to change and reorient his life toward service to and in company with the one true and great treasure—Jesus.
When we discover that for ourselves, we must be willing to make the same kind of change: to give up everything else so we can more fully embrace the gift that lies waiting for us. The Cross marks the spot.
Thanks to you all for reading, commenting and sharing your prayers and intentions with each other. What a joy it is to be in community with others who have found the same treasure and know its worth. Happy feast day of my favorite saint, Ignatius of Loyola, and many blessings for the rest of the summer.
"God did not tell us to follow Him because He needed our help, but because He knew that loving Him would make us whole. " St. Irenaeus. I try to follow this advice every day of my recuperation from hip surgery. Never thought it would be a slow & tedious journey. I believe that God is telling me to have more patience.
I concur with Ken on PT, Irene. I still continue with many of the exercises used in PT in my daily workouts. The benefits are worth it. Bill L.
Yes the treasure is buried in each of us, but in my case it is buried very deeply! My hands are too full to cling to him, gaze at him, enjoy him. I find that to be in communion with Jesus, I can sing in love and worship! It brings my treasure to the surface! Thank you all of you for your daily comments and prayers. I rarely comment (remember my hands are full!) but I read you daily and keep some of your prayers and comments to meditate on. X X
Donna, I fully agree with you in finding the treasure of Jesus in singing songs from my heart. Sometimes I get so emotional at Mass that I start crying like crazy. It’s a deep feeling and I love to sing to my Lord Jesus.
Thank you Steve for another wonderful reflection. Reorienting our lives towards Jesus, walking with God - sounds simple, never easy. But the treasure is there and we tend to find in along the way, not just in one spot :-). I have had a disrupted schedule and when I do go to post, it must think I am a robot. Ken, we all know we are not! Robert, we continue to lift you in our prayers that you find new, affordable and wonderful housing. Margaret, I’m so happy that Amy’s surgery was successful - now lifting her with strength and determination for rehab!. May Dr. Jessi continue to find her way safely as she moves into this phase of her training. Vicky, as the Lord walks with you may you feel His presence and hear his calling. Asking for healing prayers for Shawn from back surgery. Saying a big hello to Ken, Stormy, Vicky, Ron, A sinner, Julie M, Faith, Nancy, Liz and Max, Cheryl, Joann, Rusty, Bill(s), Salina, Troy, Anne, Joe, Patrick, Curtis, Freeter, Holly, Pam, Miriam, Terrence, Sandy K, Pat, JJC, Donna Jean, Kathy J, Joe and Irene. For all those I missed in the Living Faith Family, may you have a blessed day and find treasure along the way.
Sending prayers of healing for Shawn as he recovers from back surgery. Asking Our Lord to give him strength for the journey. Hope all is going well at your office, Jane.Prayers for ease into a different work environment. Life is so full of change and redirection. Thankful that we have that treasure map to Our Lord right at our fingertips.
Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those experiencing natural disasters, as well as those in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, the Sudan, and all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence, war and environmental destruction – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord
Thankful for your healing prayers for daughter, knee surgery went well now rehab begins.
Woo Hoo good news and continued prayers for rehab
Great news , physical therapy is very important, must be very disciplined, do not miss sessions excerise. Praying for you and your daughter right now. Ken
Scripture is that treasure map and Jesus is that cross on the map!!! *** Matthew 4:4, “Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every Word that comes from the mouth of God.’” *** 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” *** Psalm 119:105, “Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” ******* The map, Scripture, is available to all! How much time do you spend (sells all that he has) each day tracking/trekking on this treasure map? Have you followed the map and found the X, Lord and Savior Jesus? Is Jesus showing you His treasure island as you spend time each day in Scripture exploring X?
So I am in the process of learning to read and finish regular books…I have been praying for the gift of reading for the last 20 years…may be now? I may have finished reading 3 books in the last 20 years… I just finished “Now and Not Yet” by Ruth Chou Simons (a miracle for me to finish in a week because I bought this book for Jessi)!!! Now I am reading a book Jessi bought, so I have to finish it before I leave on Monday…”holier than thou” by Jackie Hill Perry! Sharing with you this part in the book about a shovel, “The call to a holy life has commonly presented God’s hatred of sin as the primary incentive of purity in contrast to exalting God Himself as the reason. I was raised under that technique. Where the preacher stood erect behind the pulpit to tell me the truth. That without holiness, no man would see the Lord. That as a sinner, God would do me like He did Sodom, scaring me and all the other kids in my youth group into pseudo-sanctity. The discernible problem is twofold: I wasn’t provided with a vision of the Holy God that explained His infinite worth, denying me the joy of what happens when God Himself is the incentive for repentance. Nor was I handed a shovel and encouraged to dig beneath my sins and see what was underneath so as to give me context for why I sinned as I did.”
Bruce, my family members have the same comments about the map and the shovel :-) When they do, I usually raise my right hand and say, “Save my watch!” *** The map is not my map :-) *** I don’t have a shovel :-) *** Math is my favorite and here is the formula: Holy Spirit + Scripture = Cross ******* Scripture used to be my sleeping pill without the Holy Spirit! Scripture is now God’s Word to me with the guidance of the Holy Spirit ♥️✝️♥️
Good morning Salina, Your map marked with the crucifix: it seems like my map is more like a daunting maze, and the treasure is buried very deep, and I have misplaced my shovel. So may I borrow yours , your daily comments, that is?
Thank you Steve, your piece immediately brought to my mind the passage from St. Augustine’s Confessions in which Saint Augustine states “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”
Patrick thanks for your remembrance. Ken
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Sharing with you, “DAY TWENTY-NINE “God's dwelling place is now among the people…” *** READ “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death” or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’” Revelation 21:3-4 “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” Revelation 22:1-2 *** REFLECT Human hearts long for home. Heaven is the perfect, eternal home God intended for His people. God created all His children in His image, with unique characteristics that reflect various aspects of His personality. The new heaven and new earth will be perfect for every inhabitant because God will make His home with His people and dwell among them. Jesus is preparing a home for you far beyond your expectations and hopes! Thinking about the eternal new heaven and new earth may seem like a pleasant diversion, but do thoughts about heaven help as we navigate a world filled with conflict, injustice, relational struggles, and suffering? A right understanding of our eternal home shapes our earthly lives for God’s glory and our good. The reality of heaven motivates wholehearted commitment to holy and godly living now. Heaven’s reality helps believers resist this world’s poisonous enticements toward sin. God uses His people to bless a world broken by sin while they await His glorious presence. *** PRAY As you read John’s description of the new heaven and the new earth, spend some time reflecting in wonder of what heaven will be. Ask God to help the reality of heaven shape your life here on earth. Pray for the opportunity to share this hope with someone specific this week.”