Homily for 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A (Filling Your Life with God)

COMMENTARIES FROM THE HEART (By Fr. Anthony Agnes)

17^th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A (30.07.2023)

First Reading: 1 Kings 3:5,7-12

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 118(119):57,72,76-77,127-130

Second Reading: Romans 8:28-30

Gospel: Matthew 13:44-52

Theme: “Filling Your Life with God”

Our first reading today begins with a huge favour, an opportunity: ‘Ask what you would like me to give you’. Indeed all our lives we also look for a divine favour, we look for opportunities, sometimes we get them, other times we do not. What will be your answer if today God appears to you and says: ‘Ask what you would like me to give you’. What will be your response? It will be interesting to know what you will say. But, such is life. Indeed, each day we find ourselves alive, it is God’s way of saying, ‘Ask what you would like me to give you’.

Solomon, a very young man (some biblical experts say he was actually a boy of around 15 years at the time) is chosen to take over as king after his father, the great King David, had died. This favour was too big for Solomon. He knew his limitations; he was a young man and had no leadership experience. And so he turned to the only one he knew will not fail him, the only one he knew will remain by his side, Solomon turned to God. Thus, he ran to God at the holy place in Gibeon to offer a sacrifice and to pray for guidance for his new office. This is the point where our first reading begins. When Solomon went to God’s house for answers to his worries, God met him in his dream. This is true of the spiritual life, when we go looking for God, he is already waiting for us. This is how Solomon began his reign, he began with God. When you got a new job, a recent promotion, a new appointment how did you begin? We are invited to learn from Solomon, to put God at the bottom of our lives and make God the foundation of all the blessings that come to us; blessings of good health, marriage, family, etc.

We also heard that God gave Solomon the opportunity of asking for whatever he wanted. Like the youth of his day and even of today, he could have asked for riches, power, fame, houses, cars, etc. but he didn’t. Solomon knew that such things do not last, that they are the passing glories of this world and so he rather asked for what lasts, what will be relevant today and still be relevant tomorrow, what cannot be taken away from him, he asked for an understanding to distinguish between good and evil. By asking for understanding (wisdom), Solomon was actually asking for God himself who is the true understanding and the true wisdom of this world. Solomon entrusted himself totally to the care of God.

At the end of Solomon’s life he was blessed with riches, power, fame, etc. Yes, that is how it works. When we choose God and the things of God above other material things and above our earthly dreams, we shall receive God and he will give us in addition the other things that we did not ask for but he knows we need. This is what St. Paul reminds us of in our second reading when he said: “by turning everything to their good, God co-operates with all those who love him, with all those he has called according to his purpose”. It is part of God’s package for us; he always work for our good.

In the end God becomes the hidden treasure that was found in the field and the fine pearl that the merchant found after a long search, as mentioned in our Gospel reading. When we find God, we cannot but give away everything we have in order to possess him. Today, in our prayer, let us say in our heart: God I want you alone.

Praise be Jesus Christ!

My Prayer: Father Almighty, you alone know what is truly good for me. Open my heart to see the world as you see it and to choose what you will choose. In Jesus name. Amen!

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