Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

17^th Sunday of the Year – July 30, 2017

Readings: 1 Kings 3:5,7-12; Responsorial Psalm Ps 118:57-72,76-77,127-130; 

Rom 8:28-30 & Gospel Matthew 13:44-52.

Theme: Discovering the Secrets of the Kingdom!

Introduction

Friends in Christ, Jesus is not yet done with teaching through parables as he presents us with three parables today. In the gospel (Matthew 13:44-52), Jesus relates to us three apocalyptic parables namely, the parable of the hidden treasure, the parable of the fine pearls and the parable of the dragnet. Our reflection shall explore these parables with the hope of finding a theological nexus among them which shall serve as our spiritual meal for this week.

Three Parables, Same Message

a) The Parable of the Hidden Treasure: In this parable, we are presented with four things:

1. The Treasure: The hidden treasure stands for the Word and the Sacraments as well as the values of the kingdom such as love, charity and forgiveness.

2. The Field: As usual, the field is the world.

3. The Discoverer of the Treasure: The person who discovers the treasure represents subjects of the kingdom.

4. The attitude of selling everything to acquire the field: This stands for discovering the secrets of the kingdom so much so that one is not left in doubt about foregoing worldly power, the trappings of fame and fortune to embrace the poverty of the spirit for Christ’s sake.

b). The Parable of Fine Pearls: In the parable of the fine pearls, we are also presented with three things namely:

1. The Merchant: Closely related to the first parable, the merchant stands for the subjects of the kingdom.

2. The Fine Pearls: The fine pearls are spiritual treasures.

3. The attitude of selling everything to acquire it:  That the merchant sold everything he owned, not some, means that the pearls are of inestimable value. This symbolizes the spiritual attitude of those who have discovered the secrets of the kingdom. For these Christians, nothing compares to either contemplative or active spirituality which is often in touch with God and man.

c). The Parable of the Dragnet: Apparently, the parable of the dragnet is the bridge between the first two parables. This is because it presents us with a resume of the previous parables. We shall take a critical look at the issues involved in this parable:

1. The Dragnet: The dragnet symbolizes the criteria for accessing good or bad. Certainly, the dragnet does not discriminate.

2. The Sea: The sea is the world.

3. Haul of all kinds, Collation and Sorting: The haul of all kinds stands for both subjects of the kingdom and subjects of the evil one from all nationalities of the world who coexist side by side and respond to the preaching of the gospel differently. However, the parable presents us with a patient God who suspends collation and sorting of the good fish from the bad stuff until the end of time. Obviously, the sorting is done by the angles.

Finding a Nexus between these Parables and the First Reading

These parables connect with the first reading (1 Kings 3:5,7-12) because King Solomon who initially seemed foolish in the eyes of the world eventually became wise in the sight of both God and man. It took someone like Solomon who had the fear of God to ask for wisdom instead of riches or power over his enemies. As it were, Solomon discovered the secrets of the kingdom by submitting himself to God’s sovereignty.  

Solomon’s attitude has pastoral implications for us. Indeed, it is a call to be foolish for the sake of the kingdom. From the parables of the hidden treasure and fine pearls, we realise how important it is for every Christian to seek first the Kingdom of God and its righteousness. This is because, as the word of God assures, everything other thing would be added unto us (Matthew 6:33).

As stated earlier, the parable of the dragnet is the middle ground between the parables of the hidden treasure and fine pearls. This is because the parable of the dragnet reveals God’s patience with sinners while affirming that retributive justice awaits all believers at the end of time. What is clear is that our liturgy calls us to make hay while the sun shines.   

Homiletic Quotes to Remember:

1. The hidden treasure stands for the word and the sacraments as well as the values of the kingdom such as love, charity and forgiveness.

2. Discovering the secrets of the kingdom implies foregoing worldly power, the trappings of fame and fortune to embrace the poverty of the spirit for Christ’s sake

3. The fine pearls are spiritual treasures.

4. The pearls symbolize the spiritual attitude of those who have discovered the secrets of the kingdom.

5. The dragnet symbolizes the criteria for accessing good or bad. Certainly, the dragnet does not discriminate.

6. The haul of all kinds stands for both subjects of the kingdom and subjects of the evil one who coexist side by side in the world.

7. God suspends collation and sorting of the good fish from the bad stuff until the end of time

Conclusion

The message of St. Paul in the second reading (Rom 8:28-30) that God cooperates with those who love him is a warm reminder to all Christians to choose divine wisdom rather than human wisdom. The man in the first parable sort divine wisdom by selling all he owned to acquire the land wherein the treasure was hidden; the same with the man in the second story who discovered fine pearls after a thorough search and eventually sold all he owned to acquire them.  

As such, we must resist the temptation of winning the whole world at the expense of our souls (Mark 8:36).  This means that we must not put God at the backyard of our lives while pursuing mundane interests. On the contrary, our liturgy calls to go the way of divine wisdom by asking God to help us discover the secrets of the kingdom which do not require rocket science. Have a blessed week!