17th Sunday, OT, Year A, The wisdom of the Kingdom of Heaven

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Mathew 13, 44-52 (The wisdom of the Kingdom of Heaven, 17th Sunday, OT, A) [English translation of Portuguese homily delivered in Ponta da Fajã, Island of Flores, Portugal (Azores)

Focus: The wisdom of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Function: To remind listeners of the wisdom of the Kingdom of Heaven.

  1. Introduction

Wisdom. Wisdom. Wisdom. Among other meanings, perhaps, wisdom means knowing when to speak and when to listen; when to act and when to wait… There are many ways to understand wisdom. Frequently, I find wisdom when listening to and watching others, especially those who have lived a long time. However, what do today’s scriptures say about wisdom?

  1. Wisdom: What and Where
  2. In the first reading, Solomon asks God for wisdom. Solomon valued wisdom above all other possible requests, even more than earthly wealth or power. God was so pleased that He gave Solomon great wisdom. There is a lesson for us in Solomon’s choice.
  3. In the Gospel, Jesus compares the wisdom of the Kingdom of Heaven to buried treasure and to a valuable pearl. Jesus reminds us to value the wisdom of the Kingdom of Heaven. Yet, where is the wisdom of the Kingdom of Heaven? What is the wisdom of the Kingdom of Heaven?
  4. The wisdom of the Kingdom of Heaven is easy to find; it is within us. Didn’t Jesus say that the Kingdom of Heaven is within you? So, the wisdom of the Kingdom of Heaven is revealed when we listen to God’s voice speaking to us in prayer, scripture, and the Mass, as well as in our neighbor.
  5. The wisdom of the Kingdom of Heaven is how we live as Christians. As Christians we are commanded to love God and our neighbor. Loving God and our neighbor means seeking to live in peace with all. Loving God and neighbor means working for justice for all, not just for us. The wisdom of the Kingdom of Heaven is not in great material wealth or grand physical power. These are passing friends and unfaithful pals.
  6. Conclusion

In conclusion, the wisdom of the Kingdom of Heaven is living as Jesus commanded us: to love God and our neighbor above all other things. As we seek the wisdom of the Kingdom of Heaven, we will find deeper peace within us and we will act more justly with others, until we see our God face to face in the eternal Kingdom of Heaven.