WHERE OUR TREASURE IS, THERE OUR HEART SHALL BE

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Personal NOTES taken during mass

Personal notes taken during homily by Rev Fr Edmund Chong, Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour
26 July 2026 Sunday

Today's Gospel from Mat 13:44-52 "He sells everything he owns and buys the field"

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Fr started with a story - 

A woman lost her only son. Overcome with grief, she could not understand why God had taken him. She became bitter and angry, asking, "Why did You do this to me? Why take my son when he had his whole life before him?"  She left the church for years.

One night she had a dream. God allowed her to see what would have become of her son had he lived. She saw him grow into a young man, then into middle age. At first he seemed successful, but later he fell into evil ways. Finally she saw him condemned for a terrible crime and led to the gallows. As an old man, he was hanged in disgrace

Then she understood. God had not taken her son out of cruelty but had spared him from a life that would have ended in spiritual ruin. What she had thought was a punishment had, in God's providence, been an act of mercy.

She awoke no longer accusing God, but trusting that His wisdom is greater than ours, even when His ways are hidden.

 

All things can be our servant

  • Rom 8:28 "All things work for the good of those who love Him."
  • Whatever happens is for our good, for eternal good.

  • Disappointment is a way God shows his care for us. 


We need to be caught before we are taught
  • Because of our fallen nature, we have to be taught.
  • But we need to be caught by the experience of God before we can be taught, before we can truly accept and surrender our all to God.
  • The moment we realise, is the moment the Word of God can cut into us.


Conversion is a gift from God
  • Quote from St John Paul II - "What really matters in life is that we are loved by Christ and that we love Him in return. In comparison to the love of Jesus, everything else is secondary. And without the love of Jesus, everything else is useless."
  • Every human love is nothing compared to God's love


Acceptance and surrender
  • We must be willing to let go of everything that becomes a stumbling block in our life.
  • Learn to accept everything that comes to us, trusting that God has our interest at heart.
  • God has given us the power to choose.  


- END OF HOMILY -


Songs sang at mass




Where your treasure is

Where your treasure is, there your heart shall be
All that you possess will never set you free
Seek the things that last, come and learn from me
Where your Treasure is, your heart shall be.

What do you gain from all your worry
What you should eat or what to wear?
There is no peace in stress or hurry.

Look at the ravens high above you
They do not work their whole life thorugh
And yet God feeds them and protects them
So how much more the Lord will protect you

Behold the lilies in their splendour
In grace and beauty are they dressed
And yet so soon their bloom is faded
So how much more the Lord will provide for you

Do not fear little flock
For God delights to give you the blessed reign of God
Give your possessions to the needy
Gain a treasure that will not fade


These alone are enough

Take my heart, O Lord, take my hopes and dreams
Take my mind with all its plans and schemes
Give me nothing more than Your love and grace
These alone, O God, are enough for me 
 

Take my thoughts, O Lord, and my memory
Take my tears, my joys, my liberty
Give me nothing more than Your love and grace
These alone, O God, are enough for me 

I surrender, Lord, all I have and hold
I return to You Your gifts untold
Give me nothing more than Your love and grace
These alone, O God, are enough for me 
 
When the darkness falls on my final days
Take the very breath that sang Your praise 
Give me nothing more than Your love and grace 
These alone, O God, are enough for me 


What a Friend we have in Jesus

What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit
O what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged
Take it to the Lord in prayer

Can we find a friend so faithful?
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness
Take it to the Lord in prayer

Are we weak and heavy laden?
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge

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