Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

JULY 26, 2020.
SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

FIRST READING: 1 KINGS 3:5, 7-12

Second Reading: Romans 8:28-30

Gospel: Matthew 13:44-52

The first reading and the Gospel are joined by the theme of the search for treasure. For King Solomon the greatest treasure was the wisdom to enable him to govern his people well. For us the treasure is the kingdom of God. Whoever discovers it is determined to give up everything to have it.

God appeared to Solomon in a dream and told him to ask whatever he liked and it would be granted to him. Solomon did not ask for wealth, or health, or victory over his enemies. He felt he was too young and inexperienced to govern his great and numerous people. He knew that a king could be corrupted by power, misled by emotion and passion and could make serious mistakes by becoming friends with the unjust and unscrupulous. So, he asked God for “a heart to understand how to discern between good and evil, for who could govern this people of yours that is so great?

God was pleased that Solomon had asked for the gift of “discerning good and evil” and granted him “a heart as shrewd and wise as none before has had and non will have after him. Solomon’s choice prepares us for the message of the Gospel of today. Jesus invites us to be wise in what we choose and go for. 

The parables of the treasure and of the pearl are twin parables since they basically teach us the same thing though with a few significant differences. To understand the context of these parables it is useful to understand that before the time of Jesus, wars and invasions by foreign armies were fairly frequent. People often had to flee from danger or be taken into exile as slaves. They would bury their valuables in their fields, hoping to recover them when the danger passed. The owners often did not return and their fields would be taken over by other relatives. So, is very possible to have a land and be unaware it contained a treasure or pearl of great value. It can also happen that one day a passer-by might notice something shining in the middle of a field and discover it is a treasure or a pearl. 

Remember, there is usually a twist or a surprise element in the parables of Jesus which becomes the key to unlocking the meaning of the parable. Think for a moment; what will you do if you find a treasure in a land? A man who finds a treasure in a land and wants to possess it will be more likely to dig it up and take it with him or her. But that’s not what this man does. He goes home, sells all he has to buy the land. That’s odd. But the message is very clear – you cannot steal the kingdom of God. It is both a gift and a product of hard work. In the first parable, the man was not searching for anything and found a treasure and the second is a result of a search for pearls. It is something hidden, it is valuable and worth selling everything for.

Again, another surprising element lies in the reaction of the man. If you find a pearl of great prize, will you sell your house, your car, your clothes, everything to buy it? Can a pearl give you shelter? Can a pearl keep you warm and nourish you? If you start selling everything you have to buy a land that looks like any other land, everyone will say you are under a spell or you are mad. But that is exactly what Jesus is calling us to do. So, these parables call us to a radical life of discipleship where nothing else matters except one thing – the kingdom of God.

Imagine people who see a neighbour selling everything, even his pots, plates and clothes, to buy a piece of land that seems like any other piece of land. Wouldn’t they think that their neighbour had gone mad? Jesus says that whoever finds the kingdom of God has discovered a great treasure. If the person is really convinced, he may seem to have gone mad. He gives up everything to have it.

What would people think if they saw a businessman begin to give away his hard-earned profits? What would students say of a fellow student who suddenly changes his or her life style, gives up parties, bad friends and settles down to study to become a doctor or a lawyer and gives himself to a life of service. What would people think of a drunk who offended everybody, did not care for his wife or children, if one day he gives up drink, women and now spends his time and money to support not only his family but other families too? If these people find strength to do such things surely, they must have found something far more precious.

Those who have not found Christ think Christians are mad. They do not understand why they willingly give up polygamy, divorce, occultism and some giving up marriage. They do not realise that to enter the kingdom of God one has to be ready to give up everything including life itself.

How often do we give up our faith for money or to enhance our social standing? Is it just human weakness or are we not aware of the treasure we have in Christ Jesus? Just as it is possible to have a land and be unaware of the treasure that lies hidden in it, it is also possible to be a Christian and not know the precious gifts we have in Christ Jesus and in the sacraments of the Church.

Our decision for the kingdom of God should not be delayed. The man did not delay to sell everything to buy it.  Sometimes we are unwilling to respond because we are unwilling to give up certain customs, friendships or bad behaviour. It may be too late before we respond.

The kingdom of God is the greatest of treasures and the most beautiful of all pearls. It is worth giving up everything for. Let us pray for the Wisdom and courage to give up everything for the kingdom of God.

Happy Sunday

Fr Chidi Onwuka M.Ss.Cc