HOMILY FOR THE SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: WHAT WOULD YOU ASK THE LORD FOR TODAY?
BY: Fr. Cosmas Ukadike
HOMILY:
We human beings have got a lot of things occupying our minds, some of them are basic needs while others are mere wants. But supposing the Lord appears today to demand of you what you would like him to do for you, what would your request be?
In today’s first reading, the Lord appeared to the newly crowned King Solomon at Gibeon and said to him:
“Ask what I should give you? (1Kg 3, 5). This question may have taken Solomon unawares but then he knew exactly what must come first in his life, and as a newly crowned king and still young in mind, he recognized that he needed God’s accompaniment; the Spirit of discernment, and so he asked for wisdom from God (3, 10). The Lord was greatly delighted with Solomon’s request that He not only gave him the wisdom he asked for, but also included riches and wealth (2 Chro 9, 22) .
Solomon felt Gods love all around him to the extent that he longed to dwell in this love even as a king and so he sort to be guided and directed by God’s spirit of love which we call discernment.
Solomon’s life is a confirmation of what today’s second reading teaches when it says: “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Rom 8, 28).
Just like Solomon, we all are also called according to Gods purpose; it is therefore left for us to follow in his footsteps and always to seek the basic need, that is, the face of God in all our dealings. For in seeking his face we seek first his kingdom and righteousness (Matt 6, 33). And surly all other things will be added to us.
Today’s Gospel reminds us that nothing is as precious and treasured as Gods kingdom and so we must do all we can even if it requires selling all our possessions (which may include our pleasures, pains, dreams and prospects) as we see in the first two parables in the Gospel (Matt 13, 44-46), in order to partake of this kingdom. Let us therefore pray for Gods spirit of discernment to enable us make the right choices in life and always acknowledge as priceless Gods kingdom.
Have a blessed week.
