*Wisdom is better than Riches.*
(Homily for July 30, 2017).
Our opening prayer at mass this morning summarizes our readings for today and gives us something to reflect on. In this prayer which is similar to that which Solomon prayed in the first reading, we said to God:
“… Grant that with you as our ruler and guide, we may use the good things that pass in such a way as to hold fast even now to those that ever endure…”
This prayer draws a distinction between good things that pass away and good things that endure forever. God asked Solomon to ask for anything and I guess if I was in the shoes of Solomon, I might have asked for the 3 P’s which have characterised most of our prayer today: Power, Prosperity and Pleasure.
Power makes us famous and gives us control over others and things but it must surely pass away. We cannot remain in power forever. Prosperity makes us rich and wealthy but again wealth depreciates with time. Pleasure makes us forget our worries but as fast as it comes so fast does it disappear. So long as we aim only at these things we are never completely satisfied.
Instead of asking for good things that pass away, Solomon asked for good things that actually endure: wisdom and an understanding heart. Wisdom unlike the 3 P’s does not depreciate with time.
The fact that God was so impressed with the prayer of Solomon shows that in as much as God wants us to ask freely for our needs, he wants us to give proper priority to things that are of true value.
In our Gospel passage, Jesus explains the value of the kingdom of God by comparing it with a man who sold everything he has in other to purchase it. This means that the value of our relationship with God is much higher than the sum total of all our earthly possessions. No wonder Jesus would tell us: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” Matthew 6:33.
Our responsorial psalm today so beautifully puts it when it says: “The Law from your means more to me than large quantities of silver and gold… That is why I love your commands more than finest gold, why I rule my life by your precepts and hate false ways.
Our closeness to God is of more value than our ability to obtain material things. Let us learn from Solomon how to always pray for things that endure rather than things that are passing.
Finally, should it happen that we do not get the material things we so desire, we should not become discouraged in our walk with God. This why St. Paul in our second reading today admonishes that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him.
When our entire Christian worship becomes reduced to a mere search for money, prosperity, power and pleasure, it means we have turned God into a business man or a merchant whose only duty is to supply our material desires.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, help to seek after things of the kingdom rather than those on earth. Amen.
*Happy Sunday. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A. Bible Study: 1 Kings 3:5-12, Romans 8:28-30 and John 13:44-52).*
Fr. Abu
