HOMILY FOR 17TH WEDNESDAY OF IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
HOMILY FOR 17TH WEDNESDAY OF IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: DISCOVERING GOD’S KINGDOM
BY: FR Isaac Awe
JEREMIAH 15:10,16-21, MATTHEW 13:44-46
“Therefore, if you have risen together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Consider the things that are above, not the things that are upon the earth”. (Colossians 3:1-2)
ALSO RECOMMENDED: HOMILY FOR 17TH WEDNESDAY OF IN ORDINARY TIME
Many times, we often pray saying: “Jesus I love you, all I am is yours, yours I am and your I want to be, do with me whatever you will” How faithful are we to this prayer? Keeping in mind that we can’t deceive Christ(Galatians 6:6). St Ignatius Loyola lived out this prayer and today the Holy Mother Church is remembering him for his impact. What are we known for and what are we going to be remembered for?
What do we most treasure? In a peasant community the best safe was often the earth. The man in the parable “went in his joy” to sell everything. Why? Because he found a treasure worth possessing above all else he had. He did not, however, have enough to buy the treasure. Fortunately, he only needed enough to buy the field. In a similar fashion, 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.
Discovering God’s kingdom is like stumbling across hidden treasure or finding the one pearl of great price. When we discover the kingdom of God we receive the greatest possible treasure — the Lord himself. Selling all that we have to obtain this incomparable treasure could mean many things — our friends, job, our “style of life”, what we do with our free time.
However, treasure has a special connection to the heart, the place of desire and longing, the place of will and focus. The thing we most set our hearts on is our highest treasure. In this parable what does the treasure of the kingdom refer to? It certainly refers to the kingdom of God in all its aspects. But in a special way, the Lord himself is the treasure we seek for. If the Almighty is your gold and your precious silver, then you will delight yourself in the Almighty (Job 22:22-23). Is the Lord the treasure and delight of our hearts?
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
FOR A SIMILAR HOMILY, CLICK HERE >>>>>
Dear friends in Christ, We have been sustained by your Charity for the past 11years. Here we are saddled with annual bills. Please, be kind to us with your donation. Click on the “Donate” button to get started. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
