Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

Rachel Smith, a young pharmacy student shared this personal testimony with me last week. She writes, “At every mass I try to focus on one thing that God is really trying to speak to me during the scripture readings and the homily. I call it my “one thing” and I try to allow God to remind me of my “one thing” during the week. At mass last Sunday, I felt like God’s “one thing” for me to learn is that opening my heart to receive “the Kingdom of God” is a choice. As Fr. Satish said in his homily, I can choose to let justice, love and mercy reign in my heart or not. I decided that my task would be to be open to the Kingdom at the pharmacy. And then it happened. I came across a serious problem that a customer was having. The man needed a medication that cost $3,000. He needed it soon so that his transplanted kidney would not reject his body. The problem was that his insurance plan wouldn’t let a retail pharmacy fill his prescription. My other colleagues had given up because it was a situation beyond their control. As I became aware of the situation, I didn’t know if I could help him at all but I felt so strongly that God was posing the question, “Will you show mercy? Will you receive the Kingdom today?” I resolved that I would try my best to help this man. After many, many phone calls I was able to set the man up with a mail-order-pharmacy that could help him, help his nurses realize the situation, and finally was able to transfer his prescription to a pharmacy that would emergency-deliver it to his home in time. What was so special about this experience for me was that I felt God was giving me a direct invitation to follow or not to follow the things that had been placed in my heart at mass. And I didn’t feel alone in doing what God was asking of me. Not only did God call me to be open to the Kingdom but God was also with me every step of the way. The feeling that I can have an impact on God’s kingdom was exhilarating. Even better, I felt like I was on God’s team. As more people needed help, I just felt “hungry” to serve someone, because I experienced such a reward in surprising people with kindness.” The Kingdom theme continues today from last Sunday. Last week we reflected on the fact that the Kingdom was real because Jesus was real. We also reflected upon the thought that the “sacred space” of the Kingdom is the human heart. The three practical implications that I suggested were that a) we recognize the Kingdom; b) be open to the Kingdom; and c) build the Kingdom.” Rachel’s testimony shows us how the Kingdom is like a mustard seed. Rachel was a mustard seed.

This week the scriptures take us further with the theme of the Kingdom. Today’s scripture explores the relationship between Wisdom and the Kingdom. In other words, today’s readings tell us that it would be impossible for us to recognize, be open and build the Kingdom without the wisdom that God gives to those whom God calls. Thus, in today’s first reading, Solomon takes over the reins of the Kingdom of Israel from David his Father. The history of the people of Israel tells us that kings ascended the throne only because they were chosen and anointed by Yahweh. Saul the first king, David the second king, and Solomon were not human choices, but rather, God’s chose them for his Kingdom. Whereas Saul lost that vision, David was always conscious that as a king he was only acting on behalf of Yahweh. So was Solomon in today’s first reading. He was aware that the real king of Israel was God and that the kingship and the care of the people of Israel was a responsibility gifted to him by Yahweh. That is why when Solomon had the opportunity to ask God anything he would want he asked for an “understanding heart” (wisdom). Solomon knew that the Kingdom was, in fact, God’s kingdom and he needed the wisdom to recognize, be open to and build – not his kingdom – but God’s Kingdom. The tragedy was the in spite of God’s gifts to Solomon, toward the end of his reign Solomon strayed from the wisdom and presence of God and allowed the Kingdom to go into disarray. Solomon did not follow the footsteps of his father David, the righteous king. As the gospel reading suggests to us, the difference between the righteous and wicked is based on those who recognize, open themselves and build the Kingdom and those who do not.

Let me offer three practical implications from these readings:

a) Solomon asked God for an “understanding heart” (wisdom). For us too, it takes wisdom to understand the mysteries of the Kingdom. It takes an understanding heart to see our life in relation to the Kingdom. It takes wisdom to realize that our life and everything we have today is gift from God. It takes wisdom to realize that our life is ours only to the same extent that the Kingdom was David’s or Solomon’s. The life in us and the breath we take is God’s. The people in our lives, the job we hold, the wealth we have, the talents we possess are all gifts from God. Like Saul, it is easy to forget that. Like Solomon, we can take God’s gifts and misuse them. But like David, we can also be righteous by using our gifts to recognize, be open and build the kingdom. However, only with God’s wisdom can we understand the mysteries of the Kingdom.

b) Rachel’s testimony brings home another important point for us. If we recognize the Kingdom, are open to and wish to build the Kingdom, then God assists us with the work. Hear what Paul has to say in the second reading today. He suggests, “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Rom 8: 28). And again, “And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified” (Rom 8:30). Human obstacles to the Kingdom cannot compare with the power of God’s wisdom and presence.

c) Whereas Rachel’s testimony seems to suggest that recognizing, being open to and building the Kingdom is easy, often the price to be paid for the task of building the Kingdom is heavy. Rachel, in her modesty did not share the extent of the trouble she underwent to make the Kingdom happen in her pharmacy. As the gospel tells us, the man had to first sell all he had to buy the field with the treasure. There is a risk here. What if the owner of the field does not sell the field? What if someone else buys the field? The same is true of the merchant who had to sell all his fine pearls before he bought the finest of all pearls. Only those with the wisdom that God gives are able to take the risk because they know that the Kingdom is more precious than any other risk that one may have to take.

In conclusion let me say this. This gathering, this Eucharist, this parish community is a sign of God’s Kingdom. Like Jesus, like David, like Rachel, we must take the Kingdom to wherever we go. This week let us continue to recognize, open and build the Kingdom. Amen.

Fr. Satish Joseph