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17 th Sunday in Ordinary Time July 27, 2014 In preparation for this Sunday’s Liturgy

As aid in focusing our homilies and sharing

Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

 The focus is on having

understanding

. (wisdom) First Reading: 1 Kings 3:5,7-12 5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, "Ask something of me and I will give it to you." 7 O LORD, my God, you have made me, your servant, king to succeed my father David; but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act. 8 I serve you in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted. 9 Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong. For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?" 10 The LORD was pleased that Solomon made this request. 11 So God said to him: "Because you have asked for this -- not for a 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 -- 12 I do as you requested. I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you.

First Reading: 1 Kings 3:5,7-12 A simple outline!

God approaches Solomon in his dream

 5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, "Ask something of me and I will give it to you."

Prayer of Solomon

 7 O LORD, my God, you have made me, your servant, king to succeed my father David; but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act. 8 I serve you in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted. 9 Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong. For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?"

The Response of God

 10 The LORD was pleased that Solomon made this request. 11 So God said to him: "Because you have asked for this -- not for a 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 -- 12 I do as you requested. I give you a heart so wise and one to equal you. understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no

First Reading: 1 Kings 3:5,7-12   5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a

dream

will give it to you." at night. God said, "Ask something of me and I 7 O LORD, my God, you have made me, your servant, king to succeed my father David; but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act. 8 I serve you in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted. 9 to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong. For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?"

Commentary

 In v.5, God comes to Solomon in a dream and asks if he needs anything from him.

  In vv.7-9, Solomon says a prayer right away. In his prayer, he acknowledges the following:  The source of his power /authority is God.

      His inexperience because he is young.

His lowly origin (servant), now king.

His mission to serve, v.8

The bulk of his work (so many people to serve, innumerable) In v.9, Solomon now expresses his petition:  to give him an understanding heart.

He needs this to:  judge God’s people  discern right from wrong.

First Reading: 1 Kings 3:5,7-12  10 The LORD was pleased that Solomon made this request. 11 So God said to him: "Because you have asked for this -- not for a 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 -- 12 I do as you requested. I give you a

heart so wise and understanding

that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you.       In v.10, God is pleased with Solomon’s prayer.

Solomon prayed for the right thing.

In v.11, God enumerates what Solomon could have asked for, but did not:    Long life Riches Death of his enemies Instead, Solomon asked for understanding: to know what is right.

In v.12, God grants the prayer of Solomon.

He gives him a heart so wise and understanding, never given to anyone before and thereafter.

Reflections on the 1

st

reading

  The reading provides a material for the theology of governance.

Governing a lot of people, one nation, is a big task.

 One must not only be a morally upright person, but must also have wisdom and understanding.

  He must know how to judge well (his criteria is God’s, not his personal interests).

Governance has nothing to do with living in pomp and wealth, but dispensing justice and serving the least.

Resp. Ps. 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130

R. (97a)

Lord, I love your commands.

57 I have said, O LORD, that my part is to keep your words.

72 The law of your mouth is to me more precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

76 Let your kindness comfort me according to your promise to your servants.

77 Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight.

127 For I love your command more than gold, however fine.

128 For in all your precepts I go forward; every false way I hate.

129 Wonderful are your decrees; therefore I observe them.

130 The revelation of your words sheds light, giving understanding to the simple.

Resp. Ps. 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130

R. (97a)

Lord, I love your commands.

57 I have said, O LORD, that my part is to keep your words.

72 The law of your mouth is to me more precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

76 Let your kindness comfort me according to your promise to your servants.

77 Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight.

127 For I love your command more than gold, however fine.

128 For in all your precepts I go forward; every false way I hate.

129 Wonderful are your decrees; therefore I observe them.

130 The revelation of your words sheds light, giving understanding to the simple.

Commentary

 The psalm is classified as wisdom psalm.

    The psalmist expresses his love and devotion to God’s law.

He uses other words / terms to describe God’s law.

   To keep your words, v.57

The law of your mouth, v.72

Your law, v.77

    Your command, v.127

Your precepts, v.128

Your decrees, v.129

Revelation of your words, v.130

We cannot miss the point of the psalmist: God’s law.

God’s law is a treasure, more valuable than money, silver and gold and power.

Reflections on the Psalm

     We, Christians, must learn how to treasure and value God’s law.

Like the Psalmist, we must enjoy keeping God’s law.

We must give priority to doing God’s commands.

God’s commands are of higher value than wealth and material possessions.

Don’t sacrifice God’s laws in exchange for wealth, power and prestige. Don’t be materialistic and worldly. Don’t oppress the poor.

Second Reading: Romans 8,28-30

    28 We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified ;  and those he justified he also glorified .

The focus is on great rewards .

    

Second Reading: Romans 8,28-30

28 We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those he foreknew also predestined to be he conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified ; and those he justified he also

Commentary

 V.28 affirms that everything turns out good for those who love God and are called to love.    This is a general statement.

Vv.29-30 specify what God does to them (to those he foreknows):  He predestined …  He called   He justified He glorified God is superbly generous to those whom he calls.

glorified .

Reflections on the second reading

        What happens to Christians who love Christ?

God showers them with his blessings and graces.

These are not ordinary blessings, but generous and abundant blessings.

To be predestined to be like Christ, to be called, to be justified, or, to be glorified is not a small matter.

It is more than a jackpot in a game of chance, or lotto.

God is unfathomably generous to those who respond to the call of Jesus.

Do you look forward to this great reward?

Treasure your vocation as Chrstian.

Gospel: Matthew 13,44-52

   

44 "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. 46 When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it. 47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. 48 When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. 49 Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. 51 "Do you understand all these things?" They answered, "Yes." 52 And he replied, "Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old." The focus is on the kingdom of heaven .

Gospel: Matthew 13,44-52

Parable of the Treasure

 44 "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, 2 which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Parable of the Pearl

 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. 46 When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.

Parable of the Dragnet

(like the Parable of the wheat and weeds)  47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. 48 When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. 49 Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.

51 " Do you understand all these things?" They answered, "Yes." 52 And he replied, "Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old."

The gospel talks about the kingdom of heaven in parables. Matthew compiles the parables of the kingdom in chapter 13.

The first two parables talk about the joy of finding the treasure (the kingdom of God itself) and giving up everything to acquire it.

The third parable talks about the mixture of good and evil at present; but at the end, there will be separation. The wicked will be thrown away. This parable sends a strong warning to evildoers.

The scribe here may refer to the author himself. He is able to bring out (entertain/integrate) the new (Jesus’ teachings) and the old, still valid (Jewish laws).

Reflections on the gospel reading

 First of all, the kingdom (reign) of God is a mystery.

    We cannot have a complete picture of it.

But for sure, there is joy when you find it.

You are willing to give up everything to possess it. You will act like a stupid person in the eyes of the world.

In God’s kingdom, when evil is weeded out, there will be more joy.  Have you given up anything to satisfy your hunger for God?

Tying the three readings and the Psalm

    The first reading talks about wisdom and understanding.

The psalm talks about loving God’s laws .

The second reading talks about great awards .

The gospel reading talks about the kingdom of heaven.

Suggestion for the homily/sharing



To eradicate injustices, poverty, unhappiness, and anarchy, what must we do?



To promote harmony and joy in our world, what must we do?



How should we govern ourselves?



The readings tell us how to put order into our lives.

   

The first reading teaches us to value wisdom and understanding, to govern well.

Politics should not be run by people who are power hungry, megalomaniac, and blood thirsty. Governments should not be run by those who do not have wisdom, because there will never be justice.

Wisdom and understanding can be attained by opening ourselves to God in prayer, like Solomon.

    The psalm teaches us the value of keeping God’s laws.

There is wisdom and joy in knowing and valuing God’s precepts.

God easily rescues those who fear him.

Violations against God’s decrees are injustices.



The second reading encourages us to love God.



God promises heaven (glory) to anyone who responds to God’s love.

  

We will never be disappointed if we love God.

Great reward awaits those who love God and her/his fellow human beings.

Forget peace and justice if you don’t love God and neighbor.

    If we are administrators (government officials, politicians, officers of a private corporation) and if we want peace in our workplace, we must exercise justice.

We must be prudent and wise, not to act foolishly, making important decisions without basis.

We don’t listen to the dictates of our worldly wives/husbands or children.

We should not seek wealth and easy money in our offices nor seek the death of our enemies.

     The gospel reading is an invitation to belong to God’s kingdom and to enjoy everything that it offers.

God runs his kingdom with justice, peace and fairness.

But we have to pay the price. We have to give up everything, including wickedness.

We cannot combine good and bad in governance. There is no compromise with evil.

We have to choose consciously the good, and avoid evil.

 We stay away from friends addicted to gambling, women, liquor, power and prohibited drugs.

 We choose a company that can enhance our person, our performance and our religiosity.

 Solomon fell from disgrace because he allowed just anyone (pagan concubines) to enter his court and to influence him.

    We must protect our world, which is controlled by the unjust systems, run by self-serving politicians and their cohorts.

The global economic system (market economy) is a projection of the seven capital sins (pride, gluttony, envy, sloth, coveteousness, lust, and anger).

The so-called digital technology promotes injustice. It has no conscience. It encourages useless spending, like unnecessary text messages, tourism, and credit cards.

Beware of the hi-tech vultures.

      Our churches are not spared of confusion and anarchy because people running them do not have wisdom.

They do not know where to get their wisdom.

They are not engaged in ongoing formation and encounters with the Word of God.

They don’t listen to God, they don’t pray, they don’t listen to their shepherds, who should know better.

The leaders sit on their positions even if their ideas are already obsolete or have no skills in governance.

Due to this and other reasons, involvement in the church has become disastrous, traumatic and frustrating.

     The eucharist is the sacrament that encourages good governance.

It is the food that strengthens us in our struggle to govern with wisdom and justice.

The eucharist officials.

is not for the corrupt and dishonest The eucharist is not also for the citizens, who tempt or force those in power to corruption.

When we receive the eucharist , we accept our responsibility to govern with justice, wisdom and fairness and not to induce others to sin.

Our Context of Sin and Grace

        Politics and business run by people without conscience Not service-oriented Absolute power Power tripper Leader without a vision Incompetent administrator Graft and corruption No accountability    Good governance which include transparency and accountability Concern for the poor Guided by Vision and Mission Statement

Suggested Songs

 

Peace Prayer of St. Francis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ8TGBB385c 

Bayang Tinawag

 http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhzcbwbfMe8