DAILY HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE 17TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE I (2)

DAILY HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE 17TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE I

THEME: THE TREASURE THAT LAST FOR ETERNITY

BY: Fr. Francis Onwunali

HOMILY: “It was Christ who was present to all those to whom, from the beginning, God communicated His Speech and Word. If any one, therefore, reads the Scripture with attention, he will find in them an expression of Christ and a foreshadowing of this new calling. For Christ is the treasure which was hidden in the field, …” ( St. Irenaeus , Adversus haereses, IV, 26).

The first reading (Ex 34: 29-35) gives account of Moses’ transformation because of his face-to-face encounter with God. As Moses descends from the mountain, his face was so radiant that Aaron and others could not look at his face, he covers his face to speak to them. Being in a deep relationship with God changes everything about our life. We are always enlightened and recharged in God’s presence.

Jesus uses two parables in today’s gospel (Matt 13: 44-46) to stress the great value of being part of the Reign of God. Being in a relationship with God as members of God’s Reign is more valuable than anything else. For the joy it brings, those who experience it are willing to sacrifice everything they have to cling to it. Is the Kingdom of God more valuable to you than anything else?

Dear friends, discovering God’s Kingdom is like stumbling across a hidden treasure or finding the one pearl of great price. The greatest treasure of the Kingdom of God is the Lord Jesus Himself. To sell everything to possess this incomparable treasure could entail many things- giving up friends, possessions, job or most importantly, our “style of life”. Treasure is connected to the heart, the place of desire and longing, of will and focus. What is it that my heart desires?

I pray as we journey in life today, let us be wise to seek for the treasure that will last for eternity, one that comes with righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14: 17). For “if the Almighty is your gold and your precious silver, then you will delight yourself in the Almighty” (Job 22: 25-26). May virtue and holiness of life be our guide. Have a Divine Encounter-full day!

Fr. Francis Onwunali