＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

Exodus 34:29-35

 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai,

With the two slabs of the Statement in his hands, he was not aware that the skin of his face was radiant after speaking with Yahweh. Aaron and all the sons of Israel saw that Moses’ face was radiant and they were afraid to go near him.  But Moses called them, and Aaron with all the leaders of the com­munity drew near, and Moses spoke to them.  

 Afterwards all the Israelites came near and he told them all that Yahweh had commanded him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. 

 Whenever Moses went before Yah­­weh to speak with him, he took off the veil until he came out again. And when he came out and told them what he had been commanded,  the Israelites saw that his face was radiant. Mo­ses would then replace the veil over his face until he went again to speak with Yahweh.

 

Ps 99:5, 6, 7, 9

Holy is the Lord our God.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊  

Matthew 13:44-46

The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. The one who finds it buries it again; and so happy is he, that he goes and sells everything he has, in order to buy that field.

 Again the kingdom of heav­en is like a trader who is looking for fine pearls.  Once he has found a pearl of exceptional quality, he goes away, sells everything he has and buys it.

 

Gospel Reflection：

The kingdom is something that we can stake our all. Its price is infinite that we can trade everything we have to acquire it. No wonder that countless men and women left everything for the sake of the kingdom. Their lives and their testimony give substance to the gospel today.

But why is the kingdom worth all that we have? It is because the sum total of all our longings can be found in the kingdom. It is not about satiating wants that bring temporary pleasure. It is satisfying the deepest needs of our soul that bring joy that lasts forever. It is finding meaning to our existence. The kingdom shapes the direction of our path, follow it in order to realize our purpose in life.