Readings and meditation on the Word of God on the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 26, 2026

Delivered by Donna from the Parish of Holy Spirit in the Diocese of Surabaya, Indonesia. 1 Kings 3: 5.7-12; Rs psalm 119: 57.72.76-77.127-128; Romans 8: 28-30; Matthew 13: 44-52.WISE SACRIFICE The theme for our meditation on this 17thSunday in Ordinary Time is: Wise Sacrifice. There was an incident when a youngman who really loved the girl he has been following for a period of time, who wantedto express his will to marry her. The proposal was planned to be done on abridge over a wide and deep river, and witnessed by many people around there,with such a beautiful view. The young man brought a ring, a bounce of flowersand a precious gift. But before stating his most personal will, thebeautiful girl requested the young man to plunge into the river to prove herhis love. The young man immediately laid all things on the floor, took off hisshoes and jumped in. A moment later he returned to the bridge in a wetcondition and was about to declare his real will. But how shocked the young manand everyone around on the unpredicted reaction of the girl who rejected theyoung man's marriage proposal. She indeed ignored the young man who hassacrificed all to prepare everything and jumped into the river. This is an example of a futile sacrifice. Both thegirl and the young man have already made sacrifices, but the outcome wasnothing. There are so many experiences of vain sacrifice that are common in ourlives. There were people who have worked with good will, but they were notsupported by human or material resources, so they found only futility. Therewere those who have worked or done something with the support of sufficient oreven adequate resources, but they did not achieve the goal planned, which wasalso a futility. Some people were more likely to be relaxed, unfocused,lazy and delayed to work on what they supposed to make to its completeness,which eventually came as an outcome which was just a futility. Some of thosewho have done some sacrifices and works but only on certain occasions, thenthey would not continue any more the work. Actually, what it really needed wasconsistency and continuity. This was also a futile sacrifice. There are stillmany other similar examples. Today we are taught to overcome all those futile worksor sacrifices and we are led to embrace a wise sacrifice. A wise sacrificerequires us to focus on the highest goal that we want to achieve. All oursacrifices should help us to achieve that goal. For us believers and followersof Christ, our goal is primarily the kingdom of God. King Solomon asked forwisdom from that Kingdom and God gave it to him. We as followers of Christ havebeen called to that highest goal, therefore we sacrifice all our efforts andworks to achieve it.Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O God, look and bless us, so that with thisSunday celebration we may become Your children who are diligent in the paththat leads us to You. Our Father who art in heaven ... In the name of theFather ...