CATHOLIC HOMILIES: 17TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR A)

CATHOLIC HOMILIES: 17TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR A)

HOMILY THEME: WHAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD LOOKS LIKE

BY: Fr. Emmanuel Nwokeji.

HOMILY: Seventh Sunday in the Ordinary Time of the Year A. Matt.13:44-45, Ikgs 3:5,7-12, Rom. 8:28-30.

There is nothing greater than God and His Kingdom. (Enweghi ihe kariri Chineke na alaeze ya)
Jesus on it again. Jesus is the reflection of his Father. He came down to us to establish the kingdom of heaven. In teaching about this kingdom through his life, gospel and miracles, he demonstrated today what the kingdom looks like.

According to Jesus, the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. In the same, like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net which was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind; after which good ones are sorted into good vessels and threw away the bad.

Jesus message is very clear. Set your priorities accordingly and take to heart the most important in the scale of preference. Select the ultimate goal and preoccupied yourself for its actualization.
What is this Kingdom of heaven?.
It can mean:
1. The rule of God on earth.
2. The blessings and advantages that flow from living under Christ’s rule.
3. The subjects of God’s kingdom or the Church.

The kingdom of God is a realm where God reigns supreme, and Jesus Christ is the King. In this Kingdom, God’s authority is recognized, and his will is obeyed. For Graeme Goldsworthy, the kingdom of God is defined as “God’s people in God’s place and under God’s rule”. It is certain that not every one who says Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of God, but one who does the will of my father who is in heaven (Matt.7:21). All who are baptized have entered into the fold God’s chosen people. Being part of worshippers who gathered on God’s name during holy convocation on Sundays has counted us in God’s place. Then, the last, are we under God’s rule? If not we are not part of God’s kingdom. If the tradition and customs of our place is ruling us and they contra to God’s rule, we have miss the mark. We must give up all things against our faith and practice courageously what God has affirmed and revealed to us.

Let to reasoned with Solomon by asking for Gods wisdom which will enable us to bring God’s kingdom to ourselves and people around and within us. May things that tend to take God’s place in our life be seen as valueless.

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