Friday 2 August 2024

Today is Friday 2 August in the 17th week of Ordinary Time. CalledOut Music sings, ‘Joy’. Can you enter into the joy of the kingdom of God today? My Light and salvation, it's You I've got a firm foundation in You, Lord You hold me daily, daily The hope for my soul I'm ever so safe here with You I got Grace everywhere I be With blessings falling on me There's nothing too hard for the God that I serve Tell me why should I be afraid? No matter what comes my way I'll overcome with a smile on my face I got that joy like a river flowing down to my soul I feel like dancing, I feel it in my bones I sing, I sing, Lord It feels like a dream 'Cause with You on my team I'm winning Nothing's going to hold me back Nothing's going to stop my praise Nothing's going to keep me silent I'll say it from the rooftops I got grace everywhere I be With blessings falling on me There's nothing too hard for the God that I serve Tell me why should I be afraid? No matter what comes my way I'll overcome with a smile on my face I got that joy like a river flowing down to my soul I feel like dancing, I feel it in my bones Joy like a river flowing down, down, down, down… I got joy like a river flowing down, down, down, down… I got that joy like a river flowing down to my soul Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 13:44-46 ‘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. ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. How do you know you are close to the Kingdom? One of the sure signs is: Joy! The Kingdom of God is what has most value; it stirs the deepest desires of the heart; it leads to true and lasting joy. Where, recently, have you found the treasure of joy? Or maybe that merchant of joy found you? Get in touch with a moment of joy from your life recently, and enjoy that moment again . . . Is Jesus wanting you to notice anything? What do you want to say to God about what gives you true and lasting joy? Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.