Deeper understanding of todays readings(HOMILY) 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time—July 27, 2014 Readings: 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12 ● Rom 8:28-30 ● Mt 13:44-52 Message: Divine wisdom, the kingdom’s greatest treasure Purpose: The ensemble of readings today invites a homily that brings out the contrast between earthly, material riches and the only true and lasting treasure: the supernatural gift of wisdom by which we come to know and love God above all things. Jesus’ Gospel parables skillfully bring out this contrast by making worldly wealth itself—the treasure hidden in a field, the pearl of great price—a symbol of that real treasure which we find only by entering God’s kingdom, by faith, and making it our priority. Jesus also likens the kingdom to a heavily-laden fishing net, from which inedible refuse will be cast away at the end of time. In doing so, he reminds us not only that we should refrain from premature judgment of other professed believers, but also that we ourselves can lose the saving gift of wisdom by foolishly letting down our guard and giving way to sin. Today’s Gospel concludes a three-week series of parables in which our Lord speaks of that mysterious reality—which in St. Matthew’s version is translated literally as “the kingdom of the heavens”—of God’s loving rule over ourselves, and the whole creation. In light of the preceding readings, a central theme in the three short parables we hear today is about that priceless treasure—indeed, it is the only true and lasting wealth there is—which we discover and receive by entering God’s kingdom. This treasure is the divinely-bestowed wisdom (the ensemble of faith, hope, and charity) by which we come to know and love God as our King, as well as to love his commands (response to today’s Psalm). King David’s son, Solomon, living a millennium before our Lord came to proclaim God’s kingdom, was already seeking it in his own way. In the first reading, we meet Solomon as he begins his reign over the house of Israel—that ancient root from which, under the New Covenant, the universal Kingdom of God announced by Jesus, will grow, spread and, finally, triumph. When God invites the young monarch to ask confidently for whatever he most longs for, his response seems politically incorrect. Solomon is no Machiavelli. He requests none of the specific diplomatic, military, financial, or other power-clinching benefits that preoccupy most rulers. Instead, he paradoxically shows wisdom beyond his years by acknowledging his lack of wisdom for the huge task now confronting him. Since he makes the acquisition of that virtue his one great priority, the Lord blesses him in an exceptional way with “an understanding heart” and the capacity “to distinguish right from wrong.” Of course, it is not only kings and rulers that God wants to bless. In the second reading, St. Paul assures us that for all those who make God their true priority in life, “all things work for good,” since that free decision on our part is, at the same time, made possible by a loving God’s calling, foreknowledge, and predestination. He eternally sees the end of each Christian’s vocation—which is nothing less than our conformity to the beautiful image of Christ—in its very beginning. These first two readings, with their call to set our hearts on the spiritual treasure of God’s love, rather than the transient, but alluring, riches of this world, can help us penetrate more deeply the message of the first two Gospel parables we hear today. Jesus brings out the contrast between earthly riches, and the priceless treasure of God’s kingdom, precisely by making the first a symbol of the second. But it’s the kind of symbol which, like a signpost on the highway, points beyond itself to a greater destination: “Wouldn’t you be overjoyed to find a treasure-trove buried in a field, or the most magnificent pearl that ever came out of an oyster? Well, that’s nothing compared to the lasting joy that will be yours if, through faith, you discover Christ as God dwelling with us in human flesh, and become a citizen of his kingdom! And indeed, not just a citizen, but the adopted son or daughter of the divine King himself!” These little parables also recall the different ways in which we can find the kingdom. For some, its discovery comes without any deliberate search, like unexpectedly unearthing that buried treasure. We’re reminded of St. Paul on the road to Damascus—thrown off his horse by a sudden and, literally, blinding encounter with the risen Christ. For others, the treasure of faith may come only after years of groping and searching for meaning in life, like the merchant who has spent years in endlessly scrutinizing pearl after pearl. Jesus’ last parable reminds us again that, even though its final victory is assured, God’s kingdom is still in a state of war with Satan throughout this present life. The enemy’s agents, and fellow-travelers, can often infiltrate the temporary, earthly structures of the kingdom—the Church Militant—just as the big fishing net inevitably scoops up a lot of noxious creatures and trash, as well as good fish. Many sects have failed to understand this parable. They have denounced (sometimes with good reason!) the “worldliness” they see in the visible Roman Catholic Church, but have chosen the false solution of trying to set up “pure” alternate churches in which membership—or at least, first-class citizenship—will be reserved for a holy, devout élite. These folks, conscious of being “true believers”(i.e., “saved” or “born again”), distinguish themselves clearly from those they see as “unconverted non-Christians,” even though the latter may sometimes profess the faith, and attend church. Jesus warns us here that this kind of judgment is to be left up to God at the end of history. For we may err gravely, not only in judging others to be outside the kingdom, but in smugly presuming ourselves to be permanent insiders! The sad example of Solomon, who eventually lapsed from his initial zeal and wisdom into worldly sensuality and decadence, reminds us that our joy in being sons and daughters of God’s kingdom must, in this life, be accompanied by constant vigilance against the enemy’s wiles.
Posted on: Sun, 27 Jul 2014 12:00:00 +0000
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