Happy Lord’s Day!
For the next few weeks, I will be reading from Lenten discourses of Archbishop John J. Swint. These particular chapters from his booklet “The Parables of the Kingdom” have proven ever so necessary to be read, reflected upon, and given to the world as a reminder of what was and still is the truths of our Catholic faith that should always be upheld. This faith, the Catholic faith, is the very faith and Church founded upon by Christ Himself, the Divine Redeemer of mankind, and our Lord and Saviour!
Today, the parable focused upon is the Parable of Hidden Treasure and Pearl of Great Price which is found in the Gospel reading according to St. Matthew 13:44-47.
The following lay reflections will be coming from the “The Parables of the Kingdom” by Archbishop John Joseph Swint who served as the fourth (4th) bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling (Now: Wheeling-Charleston) from AD 1922 to his death in AD 1962 (40 Year Episcopal Reign). Each episode title contains both the name of this work from Archbishop Swint and the title of the sermon.
His Excellency, Archbishop John J. Swint (D.D. - Doctor in Divinity) wrote these sermons in the 1930s. The sermons are around 90 years old and as they were relevant in those times, they are still relevant today. Therefore, the Lenten reflections you will hear from me are from the very sermons Archbishop Swint once wrote and preached.
Since it is his work, I can take no personal credit except for delivering these sermons through podcast.
He wrote in the introduction of the book that contains these great sermons when they were originally released the following: “The kindly reception which has accorded my booklet ‘The Moral Law’ (which I read from during the Lenten Season of AD 2025) has given me courage to venture the publication of this second series of Lenten discourses on the ‘Parables of the Kingdom.’ This is in no way intended as a scientific treatise on these parables, but merely as a course of popular sermons that may be drawn from, or built up around, them. Also I am fully aware that there are other parables of the kingdom. But I have confined myself to the series of parables as found in the thirteenth chapter of the Gospel according to St. Matthew. I believe it is generally customary, or at least permissible, to refer to this group of parables as ‘The Parables of the Kingdom…’ I have myself been rather surprised at the extensive field which these parables of the kingdom cover, and I trust this booklet will help preachers of Lenten discourses to prepare without much effort a series of sermons that will be eminently useful to their audiences.”
In continuing the Archbishop’s work and legacy over 90 years later, this work is being put into a podcast episode to be able to be heard by everyone, wherever one might get their podcasts. This is that both clergy and faithful might gain insight, knowledge, and an increase of faith and love in the parables of our Lord and Saviour throughout the United States and the entire world.
I must make clear, I am NOT a member of the clergy, but a simple layman trying to advance the Word of God taken from the Catholic Mass throughout the world to deliver lay reflections. Pray that my faith would not fail and that I should always deliver what the Holy Ghost permits me to deliver to you and every listener.
I have personally undertaken this task out of my love and respect for the works of Archbishop Swint. May his memory be eternal, may he rest in the eternal peace of Christ, I ask that you remember his soul in prayer.
God Love You!
