July 26, 2020
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Gospel for today (Mt. 13:44-52) is a continuation of the last two Sundays with parables from Matthew which describe the kingdom of heaven as Jesus explains it to his followers. Two weeks ago, we heard about the seeds that fall on different types of soil, representing those who hear the word of God and respond in various ways, both good and undesirable.
Last week we heard about the weeds among the wheat, the sinners planted by the evil one among the children of God who enter the kingdom in the last days. We also heard about the tiny mustard seed which, like the kingdom of heaven, starts small but then sprouts into an enormous plant. This is like the Christian church from the early days, with a few thousand members at the start, to the present age of millions worldwide.
The parables in the Gospel of Matthew from today tell us a lot more about the kingdom of heaven. Like a treasure buried in a field it is worth more than any personal property, wealth, or, commodity that a person might possess. And it is like a pearl, more priceless than rubies, diamonds, emeralds, or any gem found in nature.
Jesus also says that the kingdom of heaven is like a net which collects both the good and the bad, without separation or ostracism. It is a kind, hospitable place, more welcoming than any place we might imagine.
However, when we read or listen to parables like these and others, we have to remember that they can have multiple interpretations. So, in order to get the complete meaning, we have to consider them from every point of view. That is, we have to take into consideration every detail and the action of every person.
For example, consider these parables of the kingdom of heaven as they relate to the First Reading for today from the Book of 1Kings (1Kngs 3:5, 7-12). In this passage we are introduced to King Solomon, the third king during the time of the monarchy and United Kingdom of Israel.
At this point, early in his reign, Solomon is still in fine favor with God. God appears to Solomon in a dream and says to him, “Whatever you ask I shall give you.” (1Kngs 3:5).
As a humble and yet unsophisticated king, Solomon responds, “Now, LORD, my God, you have made me, your servant, king to succeed David my father; but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act— I, your servant, among the people you have chosen, a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant, therefore, a listening heart to judge your people and to distinguish between good and evil.” (1Kngs 3:5b, 8-9a).
God is pleased with Solomon’s asking for wisdom instead of a long life, wealth, or safety from enemies. God, therefore, grants Solomon the power of great wisdom and discernment for judging right from wrong. And for his humility, God also gifts him with riches and glory.
If we compare the unnamed people in Jesus’ parables, we can see that they are a lot like Solomon. They have been blessed with the gift of wisdom to recognize that seeking the kingdom of heaven is the most important and essential thing a person can do in this life.
The person who finds the buried treasure sells all that he has to acquire the field. Wisely acknowledging that the kingdom of heaven is more valuable than anything, he surrenders his worldly possessions to attain it. Likewise, the astute merchant who realizes the pricelessness of God’s kingdom and diligently seeks heaven as a pearl of great price.
Then there are the people who sort the fish that are caught in the net. They have the ability to examine their lives and let go of bad habits, replacing them with good works of charity. They know it is only the righteous who inherit the kingdom of heaven.
Sometimes we may be like the unsuspecting person who finds the treasure in the field where we have to make a difficult choice we did not expect. Or we may be like the merchant actively seeking a course of action only to find that it requires a radical change in our lives. And certainly, like the people with the net, we decide daily between good and bad actions.
But what if we feel unprepared or ill-equipped to make that unexpected choice? What if we are apprehensive and afraid to change the course of our lives? Or what if we find it difficult to decide or choose the proper course of action? What if we are like Solomon: “not knowing at all how to act.”
The answer is to follow the example of Solomon and pray for discernment and the guidance of God through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus gives us the perfect prayer to do so. He says: ““This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.” (Mt. 6:9-10).
When we say the Lord’s Prayer, we acknowledge the sovereignty and omnipotence of God by recognizing the holiness of God’s name. We pray for the strength to put aside our own egotistical thoughts and selfish desires in order to act in accordance with the will of our heavenly Father. And we eagerly await the second coming of Jesus, in the meantime asking to be made into obedient, effective, and enthusiastic servants to spread the message of the Gospel.
If we persist in prayer for discerning God’s will, we can make the kingdom of earth like the kingdom of heaven.
