17th Sunday – Year A
24th July 2005

S: Good morning, Today we’re on about what heaven is like and for each of us it’s different.

B: Our word of life for today comes from Matthew’s Gospel “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field”. I guess its true to say that everyone values something different in their lives. What is a treasure to one person may not be as important to someone else. So what is your greatest treasure, and if you were to finish the sentence ‘The kingdom of heaven is like …’ what would you say?

S: A while ago in the classroom, I was asking the children about what would be their greatest treasure. I put it in the context of their house being on fire and they had the chance to save one thing from their bedroom – what would it be? To my astonishment they were bringing out computers, TV’s, playstations and of course mobile phones – thankfully some opted for family mementos, mind you I even met a few who were bringing out their beds! I told them that I wouldn’t like to be trying to get past them in an emergency!

B: You know, in times of any crisis, sickness for instance; we are made very aware of our greatest treasure, which is Life itself. Poor health can bring us down to earth very quickly. To be able to live life to the full and for the moment is a great treasure to have.
We’ve got a lovely reflection this morning - its a bit long, so you might just like to sit back and relax for a few moments ... its called a creed to live by

S: Don’t undermine you worth by comparing yourself with others; it is because we are different that each of us is special.
Don’t set your goals by what others deem important. Only you know what is best for you.
Don’t take for granted the things closest to your heart. Cling to them as you would your life, for without them life is meaningless.
Don’t let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past or the future. By living life one day at a time you live all the days of your life.
Don’t be afraid to encounter risks. It is by taking risks that we learn to be brave.
Don’t shut love out of your life by saying it is impossible to find. The quickest way to receive love is to give love, the fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly and the best way to keep love is to give it wings.
Life is not a race but a journey to be savoured each step of the way.
Don’t give up when you still have something to give. Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying. Never be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect. It is this fragile thread that binds us all to one another.

B: You’ve been listening to "Just a thought" with Brenda Cribbin..

S: and Seamus Madigan. We can be contacted by e-mail on smadigan@limerickdiocese.org. If you would like your own copy of this reflection you can download it by clicking on www.limerickdiocese.org
Or we can be contacted through the Limerick Diocesan Offices at 66 O’Connell Street.

S: Now we are taking the month of August off – so we will be with you again on Sunday 4th September – so take care…..

S& B: Byeeeeee……

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