HOMILY OF THE 17TH SUNDAY IN THE ORDINARY TIME — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: THE ESSENCE OF WISDOM IN OUR CHRISTIAN JOURNEY
BY: Fr. Isaac Awe
1 Kg 3:5-12, Rom 8:28-30, Matt 13:44-52
There are seven capitals sins of our modern society: politics without principles; pleasure without conscience; wealth without work; Business without morality; science without humanity; worship without sacrifice and faith without religion. IF THEY WERE WISE, THEY WOULD UNDERSTAND THIS,THEY WOULD DISCERN THEIR LATTER END! (Deut. 32:29) . Therefore, we should not forget the point of departure last Sunday that the wheat and weed are going to be separated one day. (Matthew 13:30)
There is something called grace, if it locates you, it doesn’t inspect your certificate. The mercy and grace of God located Solomon today, because of this divine visitation, he made a right choice. Brothers and sisters, let us know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him(Romans 8:28). Do we love him?
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What particular gift would each one of us ask God if we were given the opportunity to ask for anything from God considering the present situation of our country? There are so many pressing needs which we will have at the moment. Many would ask that his / her enemies should be eliminated (Politicians). Many would ask for sound health for themselves or some close relatives. Other would ask for financial help, just to pay off debts and keep the family in comfort, not riches but just enough. Others would wish to be spared to their family for many long years. Some, not many, would ask For the virtue of temperance for themselves while many would want that virtue for their husbands or sons. But those who would ask for the gift of true wisdom to govern their earthly lives according to justice and charity would be a small percentage. And yet, that is the only gift that has eternal value. It is even greater than the gift Solomon asked for and got. He wanted the wisdom to govern others, but he failed in governing his own personal life. The really wise man wants to make a success of his own personal life, but that can only be done by regulating his living according to the wisdom God has enshrined in his revelation to us. Many people today are living empty, visionless, content- less, focus- less lives; a life dominated by love of pleasure, impurity and vanity. Such lives can only end in sorrow, frustration, depression and eventual damnation. Self discipline and self control are marks of wise person. We all like a story to end happily. But there can never be a story without challenges majorly in our journey of faith. However, there is only one happy ending for the story of our life on earth, and it is the attainment of heaven when we die. Hence, God is concerned about what we ask him. Many of us are like Mrs ZEBEDEE, mother of James and John, some of us ask for the wrong things. Some ask for good things but with wrong intentions; some of us ask for what appears to be good but is not useful for us or is even detrimental to our salvation.
In the book written by Rev Fr Emmanuel Okami titled, “ When the spirit comes upon you” he made us understand the Definition, impacts, and how to attain wisdom as one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Wisdom is seen as the gift of the Holy Spirit that shows us how to use and apply our knowledge in a given situation. If knowledge is power, wisdom teaches us how to use the power sensibly like Solomon did today. Wisdom also helps us to make right choices and sensibly handle crisis. The gift is reflected in the way someone lives, talks, relates to others, and conducts his life and affairs.
IMPORTANCE OF WISDOM
• Wisdom enables us to live good, beautiful and sensible lives.
• Wisdom saves us from disgrace, error, regret and avoidable crisis.
• Wisdom empowers us to help others.
• Wisdom gains us respect from others.
• Wisdom gives joy to the one who has it and to others.
STEPS IN GAINING WISDOM:
Through prayers (James 1:5)
By learning from our experiences and from others by listening to good advices (Proverbs 19:20)
Greatest place to attain wisdom is in the Bible.
Living in the fear of the lord
Purging our hearts of pride, arrogance, envy, selfishness and hatred. (James 3:14-17)
The lesson of these two parables is as true for us today, as it was for those Palestinians to whom Christ spoke. All Christians are called on to imitate these two wise men, and surrender all their earthly possessions if necessary in order to gain eternal life. Does “GIVING ALL” mean that we are all expected to abandon the world and take on the religious vows of poverty, chastity and obedience? There are many who do just this. But it is not the only way, not the normal way, to purchase eternal treasure. Heaven is within the reach of all, who follow the ordinary vocations of life and partake of this world’s joys and pleasure within the framework of God’s commandments, but never loose sight of the goal toward which they are moving.
What do we most treasure? God offers his kingdom as incomparable treasure at a price we can afford! We can’t pay the full price for the life which God gives us; but when we exchange our life for the life which God offers, we receive a treasure beyond compare. The pearl of great price also tells us a similar lesson. Pearls in the ancient world came to represent the supremely valuable. Jesus remarked that one should not cast pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6). Why would a merchant sell everything for a peerless pearl? No doubt because he was attracted to what he thought was the greatest treasure he could possess.
In our present condition in our country today and even in the world, we need the following in order to embrace God’s kingdom which should be our only treasure as stated in today’s gospel:
Wisdom to govern our family: we experience chaos today because some families are faulty spiritually, morally, emotionally, psychologically, financially and even socially.
Wisdom for our personal life: we cannot give what we lack and we can only teach unless we are taught.
Faith greater than our problems and challenges: like Mary and Martha (John 11)
Courage to accept God’s will : There is going to be a challenging time like that of Jesus, Jesus in his humanity prayed by saying, “if it is possible take away this cup from me, but your will be done”. It’s only faith that can prompt us to say this prayer.
Our eternal salvation should be our priority: selling everything in order to procure a place in heaven because it’s treasurable, valuable and lasting.
Reflection: In all you do, remember the end of your life, and then you will never sin! (Sirach 7:36)
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, reveal to us the true riches of your kingdom. Help us to set our hearts on you alone as the treasure beyond compare with any other. Free our hearts of any inordinate desires or attachment to other things that we may freely give to you all that we have in joy and gratitude for all that you have given to us. May we always find joy and delight in your presence. Amen.
Happy Sunday!
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