Reflection for July 30, 2023

​Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

​1 Kings 3:5, 7-12 | Psalm 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130 | Romans 8:28-30 | Matthew 13:44-46

​What is it that we are wishing for or chasing after? What are you spending your time, energy, and money to pursue? This Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, our attention is drawn to re-focus on what matters most and lasts forever.

​Alejo is walking down Paradise Beach in Bantayan Island and comes across an antique bottle. He picks it up, pulls out the cork and out pops Fayzal, a genie! Delighted, the genie says, "Thank you for freeing me from my prison. I shall grant you three wishes for your goodness.” After thinking a moment, Alejo says "Great! I always dreamed of this and I know exactly what I want. First, I want ₱14.10 trillion in a Swiss bank account" (That's the total amount of the national debt of the Philippines as of 2023). Poof! There is a flash of light and a piece of paper with account numbers appears in his hand! He continues, "Next, I want a red 2020 Ferrari 812 Superfast right here." Poof! There is a flash of light and a bright red prancing horse wheels appear right next to him. Faysal tells him to think very carefully about his one last wish. After thinking a moment, Alejo continues, "I want the whole Philippines to be connected by a highway". "Sorry Master Alejo, it's technically impossible to engineer such a highway. Ask something else", Faysal replied. "Well then, I want the president to fulfill even half of the big promises he made during his campaign," he asked. To this the genie replied, "Alejo, do you want that highway, 8 or 10 lanes? Concrete or asphalt? Come on, let's discuss details."

In the First Book of Kings, God appears to Solomon in a manner reminiscent of a genie, offering to grant him any request he desires. Solomon, renowned for his wisdom and leadership, makes a deliberate choice not to ask for wealth, long life, or power over his enemies. Instead, he humbly seeks what he truly needs to fulfill his divine mission — wisdom. Solomon's example demonstrates his awareness of the limitations of human wisdom and the necessity for a deeper wisdom that can only come from God. Before taking on the responsibility of leading God's people, Solomon seeks to understand and align himself with God's agenda. He earnestly desires to discern between good and evil, acknowledging that true leadership should be based on God's standards. In response to his humble and wise request, God grants him a wise and discerning heart, enabling him to serve others effectively. Solomon's obedience to Yahweh brings blessings upon him and his reign. In our present circumstances, it becomes evident that we also need wise leaders and followers who are attuned to God's designs and seek wisdom to make sound decisions. In summary, the story of Solomon highlights the importance of seeking divine wisdom and aligning ourselves with God's agenda to become effective leaders and followers. In our current times, wise and God-centered leadership is crucial for addressing the challenges we face.

Dr. Mitchell, a cardio thoracic surgeon, heard about a human heart tissue bank which would enable her to get a new heart for one of her patients. She went to the heart tissue bank and asked the tissue donor coordinator what was in stock. "Well," the coordinator said, "Here is an excellent option: a brave and determined lawyer's heart tissue. This heart gave much needed hope to those oppressed by legal injustice. It is for ₱5000 per ounce of tissue. "What else?" Dr. Mitchell asked. The coordinator told her, "Another best option is this priest's heart tissue. Full of humility and compassion, it prayed for the poor sinners and fed those who live in poverty and hunger. It is ₱6000 an ounce." "Is that all you have?" "No," the coordinator said. "Here is a teacher's heart tissue. Packed full of care and dedication, it taught essential values and competencies to public school students. It is ₱7000 an ounce." "I don't know," Dr. Mitchell said. "Don't you have anything else?" The coordinator then motioned for Dr. Mitchell to step over to a covered container. "This," he said in calm and still whisper "is a congressman's heart tissue. It costs ₱250,000 an ounce." "Wow!" exclaimed Dr. Mitchell. "Why so expensive?" "In the first place," the coordinator told her, "It is hardly used. As the second consideration, do you realize how many congressmen you need to get an ounce of a heart?"

In his letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul emphasizes that each of us has a unique calling from God. Just as God has communicated with countless individuals in the past, He speaks to our hearts as well. The primary and essential step is to dedicate time to be with Jesus regularly through prayer, attending Holy Mass, and participating in Eucharistic adoration. Additionally, we must keep our hearts free from anything that might hinder our relationship with Jesus. Drawing closer to the heart of Jesus enables us to discern His call and understand it on a deeper level. Regardless of whether we are called to marriage, religious life, ordained ministry, or a consecrated single life, true discipleship demands that we prioritize the most important thing of all. The passage from our Second Reading captures both aspects: God's divine initiative and the necessity of simplifying our lives by "selling all" to receive the treasure that awaits us. It states, "We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).

The body of musician Frédéric Chopin was buried in Paris where he made a career as composer and virtuoso pianist of the Romantic era, but his heart was buried in his beloved Poland where he was born. Within a crystal urn inside a pillar at the Church of the Holy Cross in Warsaw, the Poles kept the heart of this man who they loved and respected. If your heart were to be buried in the place you loved most during life, where would it be? In Facebook or Instagram? In a space down at the office? In your house? In your car? In the bank? Where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. Where is your heart?

Let's reflect on these two parables together for a moment. I'm sure many of us are familiar with them. Both the parable of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price share the same lesson — they emphasize that the Kingdom of Heaven is of immeasurable value. In both stories, the treasures are concealed, requiring a deeper wisdom that can only come from knowing God to uncover their mysteries. Intelligence, power, or worldly wisdom alone cannot reveal them. In both parables, the main characters are willing to sacrifice everything they have to obtain the kingdom. They are ready to give up all their possessions for this one great prize. This shows us the challenge of the decision they faced. To gain the field, one must sell all possessions, and to buy the pearl, the merchant must let go of other treasures. It becomes clear that having the best of both worlds is not an option. In today's world, there are numerous false prophets who misguide the gullible faithful by preaching a gospel of prosperity that promises material benefits while equating poverty and hardships to a lack of God's blessing. However, these two parables make it evident that true discipleship involves sacrifice — giving up worldly possessions for the sake of the kingdom. Unfortunately, many of us are easily satisfied with cheap and superficial pleasures that are nothing more than plastic imitations. We make compromises, believing in empty promises from leaders and ignoring our Christian values. As a result, we suffer the consequences of our choices, facing inflation rates and funding lavish lifestyles for corrupt leaders. These parables urge us to contemplate what truly matters — is anything more valuable than our souls? Is anything more important than attaining eternal life? Why do we allow these shallow and fake satisfactions to rob us of our faith and the promise of heaven? We must ask ourselves if our actions reflect that God comes first in our lives and if our ultimate goal is heaven. If the Kingdom of God is like a hidden treasure or a precious pearl, are we willing to let go of anything to attain it? Christ should be the greatest satisfaction of our hearts. To embrace the invaluable grace of God, we must release our grasp on the worthless things we cling to in life. In the words of our Lord Jesus, "Come to Me. Trust in Me. I am the true treasure that can satisfy your heart like no one else." He calls us to let go of the counterfeit treasures we hold onto and to place our trust fully in Him.

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