PDF version of this parish newsletter *PDF here*:
You can also access an online -web- copy of the e-newsletter * Web copy here*
Friday, 24 July 2026
Wednesday, 22 July 2026
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, July 26, 2026 (EPISODE- 595)
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, July 26, 2026 (EPISODE- 595)
Image Credit- https://creator.nightcafe.studio/creation/m1dGGKJJIY13Q5M1JWH2/two-crowns-side-by-side-one-made-of-gold-and-sparkling-diamonds-and-fine-pearls-and-the-other-is-a-c?ru=Paul-Evangelion
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To listen to the Podcast/ audio of the Mass of the Day - Seventeenth Sunday - Year A - (26th July 2026 - please click the following link: https://on.soundcloud.com/I3hRYf4s9ajXexVZF0
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In the Gospel parable today, a man discovers a treasure in a field and immediately sets about selling everything else he has in order to possess that one perfect treasure.
The treasure of infinite value is God's Kingdom; Jesus' Good News; being united forever with Jesus in God's family.
It is like a rare treasure of a value that cannot be measured.
God's wisdom, that is, an understanding heart, is also a treasure greater than gold or long life.
God's Kingdom is a more precious treasure than any earthly possession, and our efforts and priorities should rightly reflect this. It is worth giving up everything else to attain it. It possesses a richness and a depth that can never be fully plumbed.
One aspect of this treasure is revealed in the First Reading. King Solomon is promised any gift he desires. He could ask for anything. Yet, instead of asking for wealth, long life, or the defeat of his enemies, he asks for wisdom. He prays for "an understanding heart".
God offers us a way of looking at life that is more valuable than anything else. It changes everything we see and everything we think. It changes our priorities according to God's way of seeing things.
An understanding heart that can discern what is truly good and worthwhile is something of abiding value. It is something truly beautiful.
As I read that parable of the treasure in the field, I am reminded of a quotation often attributed to G.K. Chesterton, the great English writer and thinker. I paraphrase it rather freely:
"It's not that Christianity has been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried."
There is a very important point in that observation.
After twenty-nine years of priestly ministry and reflection upon the Gospels, preceded by seven years of formation for the priesthood, and after a lifetime of participation in the prayer and sacraments of the Catholic Church, I can still honestly say that I feel I have only begun to scratch the surface of the riches of Jesus' Good News.
I believe I have explored some of the beautiful depths within the Christian treasury. Yet, because this treasure is priceless, and without limit, my exploration remains only the very beginning. I am still merely scratching the surface of the faith, the Gospels, the sacraments, the teaching of Christ's Church, and the wonderful writings of the saints. One could spend an entire lifetime studying them and still not come even close to exhausting their riches.
The Gospel, together with the sacraments, the teachings of Christ's Church, and two thousand years of Christian writings and reflection, indeed closer to four thousand years when we include the Hebrew Scriptures, is like a vast and rich diamond seam. Much of it lies beneath the surface. From time to time, a small polished or unpolished diamond emerges, catching our attention.
To look only at that small fragment and never dig any deeper would be a great tragedy, and a very unwise decision.
If we dig deeply into the riches of the Church's treasury, we will certainly find treasures. More than that, we will keep finding treasures, and we will never reach the bottom of them. Its riches are inexhaustible.
The abundance of what God offers us never ceases to astonish us and draw us deeper. It never ceases to satisfy. It can never be exhausted.
As one of the great saints wisely observed:
"The more we search, the more we find; the more we find, the more we search, O Lord."
Our faith is a treasure of extraordinary depth. If someone claims to have thoroughly explored this Christian faith and found it wanting, I genuinely wonder where they have been digging.
The Gospel remains a priceless, precious, and worthy treasure, deserving of all our efforts and our deepest exploration.
Therefore, I must admit that whenever I hear people say they have explored the Christian faith and have somehow comprehended and assessed the depths of Christianity's two thousand years of wisdom, only to find it wanting and move elsewhere in search of a "greater truth", I cannot help but wonder what kind of exploration they have undertaken.
How could someone claim to have explored more deeply than millions of believers and countless generations who have spent their lives studying these mysteries?
How could anyone imagine they have fully plumbed the depths of this truly infinite gift?
What, then, were they really exploring? Where were they looking?
May God, who has so graciously accompanied our work and brought it to success so often in the past, continue this good work within us and bring it to perfection.
Amen.
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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly
Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed. Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Vector ID: 1432897322 - book pearl of great price, vector illustration eps 10 - Vector Formats. 300 • JPG. Vector Contributor: AStudio-1
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Stock Illustration ID: 171963344. A precious pearl in an oyster shell in a row of shells 3D render.
Illustration Contributor: Michael D Brown
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A (Sunday, July 26, 2026) (EPISODE- 595)
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
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{{Joy and peace to everyone}}
Coming together as brothers and sisters in Christ, let us prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries by recalling our sins and remembering Christ's greater mercy.
You were sent to heal the contrite of heart. Lord, have mercy.// You came to call sinners: Christ, have mercy. //You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us:Lord, have mercy.//
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Ps 119:57+72, 76-77, 127-28, 129-30. “Lord, I love your commands.”
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (cf. Matt 11:25). Alleluia, alleluia! Let your face shine on your servant. And teach me your laws
Memorial Acclamation
3. Save us, Saviour of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
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PREFACE: Sundays Ordinary I
Euch Prayer II
(theme variation: 4)
(pre+post variation: v2-long)
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{May God's love, strength, mercy and kindness guide you all this week.}
Go forth, the Mass is ended.
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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com
To listen to the weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly
Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the Liturgy. (ICEL)
Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)
"The Psalms” ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins Publishers.
Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg. E.J. Dwyer Publishers (1993). (Sydney, Australia).
Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria, Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org.
- "Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - in memory of William John Kelly - Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.
“Quiet Time.” Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W Kelly. 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020.
- “Today I Arise” - For Trisha J Kelly. Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick’s Prayer. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.
Sound Engineering and editing - P.W. Kelly.
Microphones: - Shure MV5 Digital Condenser (USB)
Editing equipment: NCH software - MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software
NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 12.44
Sound Processing: iZotope RX 6 Audio Editor
[Production - KER - 2026]
May God bless and keep you.
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Friday, 17 July 2026
Surfers Catholic Parish Newsletter - Sunday, July 19, 2026 - The 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time - A
PDF version of this parish newsletter *PDF here*:
You can also access an online web copy of the E-newsletter *Webcopy here*
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