HOMILY FOR 26 JULY 26 SUN WK 17 OT
1 Kings 3:5, 7-12; Ps 119; Romans 8:28-30; Matthew 13:44-52
Today’s Gospel includes two of the four Kingdom Parables. These two brief parables are similar to each other, but with significant differences to better clarify some aspects of the Mystery of the Kingdom that they reveal.
In the parable of the treasure hidden in the field, Jesus tells a very simple and brief story. It is implied that the treasure may have already been found earlier and was put away. Then just out of chance another man finds the treasure. He did not expect to find it, because he was not looking for it. Then, to take possession of the treasure, he sells everything he has and buys the field. Thus, together with the field, he obtains the treasure also. The condition is to sell everything first! In this story, what dominates is the gratuitous discovery. The treasure is found by chance, independently of one’s agenda. The Kingdom comes! But then one must put up with the consequences and not allow the moment of grace to go by without bearing fruit.
The second parable is similar to the first one, but with an important difference. It is a story of a merchant of pearls. Intentionally seeking, he finds a pearl of great value. Here the discovery of the Kingdom is not just by chance, but is the fruit of a deliberate search. The merchant of pearls knows the value of his merchandise. When he finds a pearl of great value, he goes and sells everything which he owns and buys the pearl.
Summarizing the teaching of the two parables. Both of them have the same objective: to reveal the presence of the Kingdom. Still, each one reveals a distinct way: through the discovery of the gratuity of God’s action in us, and through the effort and the search which each human being makes to discover a better sense of life. But note the same challenge: In both stories, the consequent acquisition after the discovery demands giving up everything else of lesser value. Yes, the Kingdom demands not just turning away from evil but also giving up even good things that are inferior to the best one could ever have. And the good news is that one can make this choice freely.
