Homily of Seventeenth Sunday in
Ordinary Time of Year A, 2020
1 Kings 3:5, 7-12, Psalm 119:57,
72, 76-77, 127-130; Roman 8:28-30; Matthew 13:44-52
Solomon was a young man when he
became the king of Israel. In his dream, God said to him, “Ask something
of me and I will give it to you.” Solomon replied, “…I am a mere youth, not
knowing at all how to act…Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart
to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.” God was pleased that
Solomon made this request, and said to Solomon, “Because you have asked this –
not for long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your
enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right – I do as you
requested. I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never
been anyone like you…”
The wording of Solomon’s prayer
in different versions of the Bible bring out the depth and power of the prayer:
· Give
your servant an understanding heart… to distinguish right from wrong (The
New American Bible).
· Give
your servant a discerning heart… to distinguish between right and wrong
(New International Version).
· Give
your servant an obedient heart… to discern between good and evil (Holman
Christian Bible).
· Give
me a heart that listens so that I can …. tell the difference between
good and evil (God’s Word Translation).
· Give
thy slave a hearing heart… that I may discern between good and evil
(Jubilee Bible).
· Give
me the wisdom …. to know the difference between good and evil (Good
News Bible).
As can be seen above, Solomon
prayed for an understanding heart, a discerning heart, an obedient heart, a
heart that listens, a hearing heart, and for wisdom; to be able to distinguish
between right and wrong, able to discern between good and evil, able to know
and tell the difference between good and evil. What a rich prayer! Solomon’s
prayer challenges our prayers. Most of our prayers are for materials things
that satisfy the flesh. Solomon’s prayer reminds us of Jesus’ words, in Matthew
6:33, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these
things will be given you besides.”
The Book of Proverbs says, “Get
wisdom, get understanding!... Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
love her, and she will safeguard you. The beginning of wisdom is: get wisdom;
whatever else you get, get understanding. Extol her, and she will exalt you;
she will bring honors if you embrace her. She will put on your head a graceful
diadem; a glorious crown she will bestow on you” (Proverbs 4:5-9). Prophet
Isaiah names wisdom as the first of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah
11:3).
Jesus uses today’s Gospel to
remind us that our entire life is a journey to the kingdom of heaven. It is a
journey where there are constant challenges of distinguishing right from wrong,
of discerning between good and evil, of knowing the difference between good and
evil, and of making wise judgements and good choices. If we depend solely on
human wisdom for the journey, we will follow the wrong way, and miss the
kingdom. St. Paul says, “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s
sight” (1 Corinthians 3:19). Human wisdom alone is not enough. With human
wisdom alone, we are in danger of mistakes, errors, bad choices, and sin.
Science and technology removed from God their origin and source, also, put us
in danger of mistakes, errors, bad choices, and sin.
With God’s wisdom, we will
discover hidden treasures, pearls of great price, and we will be able to put
what is good into the bucket and throw away what is bad. Therefore, we are
encouraged to pray for God’s wisdom to guide us at every moment. St. James
advises us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all
generously and ungrudgingly, and [the person] will be given” (James 1:5). God’s
wisdom is mysterious and hidden (1 Corinthians 2:7), given to those who desire
and seek it.
It is equally important to know
that we, also, receive God’s wisdom from fellow human beings. Thus, Tobit
advised his son Tobiah, “Seek counsel (wisdom) from every wise person, and do
not think lightly of any useful advice” (Tobit 4:18). Unfortunately, some
people seek counsel from unwise persons, and from evil minded persons.
St. Paul states in the second
reading, “Brothers and sisters: We know that all things work for the good for
those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” This statement of
faith means that if we love God, subject all things to his wisdom, see
ourselves as his handiwork (Ephesians 2:10), trust him, have faith in him as
the master planner and great designer (Proverbs 19:21), and see ourselves as
called to his purpose, then, all things will work for our good.
Fr Martin Eke, MSP
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