INTRODUCTION

In 1867 on a farm in South Africa, 15-year-old Erasmus Jacobs saw a stone – shining brightly in the sun.

The shining rock was reported to a neighbor, who wanted to buy it from the family.

Not knowing its value, Erasmus’ mother told the neighbor, “You can keep the stone, if you want it.”

Eventually, a mineralogist determined the stone to be a 21.25 carat diamond and worth a great sum.

It became known as the “Eureka Diamond.”

Soon the fields near the soared in value and led to led to the “Kimberley Diamond Rush”

This also marked the beginning of the Mineral Revolution.

Underneath the land was one of the richest diamond deposits ever discovered.

“Discovering the Diamonds” was a EUREKA experience.

EUREKA is a Greek Word for “I found it!”

Archimedes, the mathematician and philosopher, (c.250 BC) had his EUREKA moment in a bathtub, when he saw the solution to the question his king had raised…
… and ran into the street naked shouting “Eureka,” (“I have found it”)!

The Bible testifies to people having a “Eureka” Experience

Moses at the Burning Bush, Discovered God (EUREKA), and His life would thereafter be transformed!
Jeremiah would have his mouth touched and would Discover God (EUREKA) to be the strength of His life!
Peter would Discover God (EUREKA) by the Sea of Galilee, and he would be made a “fisher of men”!
Paul would be thrown down, to Discover God (EUREKA), for Whom he would passionately work, all his life!

God calls all of us to have a EUREKA experience – DISCOVERING GOD!

The Catholic Church is a Mighty Treasury of such experiences of EUREKA – Discovering God!

These experiences have been particularly enshrined in the Catholic Literature…
… Apostolic Exhortations (Papal documents to with respect to faith and morals)
… Encyclicals (= a ‘circular’ letter sent by the Pope to all the Faithful, with a pastoral concern on a topic)
… Classic writings and books by various saints and holy people

Such Catholic Literature has always been available…
… through the centuries
… across the ages

But we do find that many of us, have failed to “Discover” the existence and beauty of such a magnanimous Treasure.

Time and again we have lots of doubts of faith, of our existence etc…

We run helter-skelter, in panic and desperation and looking for answers

But we often fail to realize, that the answer and solution to many of our “existential problems and questions” are to be found in the Writings and Teachings of the Church!

We have only been ignorant to seek!
We have only… “failed to discover!”

This Season of Lent, we shall make an attempt to very briefly get introduced a selected set of such Priceless Treasure of Catholic Literature.

This series is titled as “EUREKA: Discovering Catholic Treasury – through a Lenten lens!”

Every day of this Lenten Season, we shall briefly familiarize ourselves with one Catholic Literature…
… learn a little about its historical context
… outline the major thrusts of the content
… and pick up a couple of Lenten Learnings for practise

This little attempt is an endevour for each one of us ‘to discover the Priceless Treasure’ that is enshrined in the CATHOLIC CHURCH.

So, let’s offer this undertaking into the safe intercession of Blessed Mary, our Beloved Mother and St Joseph, the Patron of the Universal Church, and seek the help of all the Angels and Saints…
… so that, this Season of Lent, we may more and more “Discover the Catholic Treasury” and thus Experiencing God, we may shout “EUREKA!”

Welcome to all of you to “EUREKA: Discovering Catholic Treasury – through a Lenten lens!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!