By Fr Francis Gonsalves, SJ –
Seventeenth Sunday – Year A – July 26, 2020
Readings: 1 Kings 3:5,7-12; Rom 8:28-30; Mt 13:44-52
Prologue: Today’s gospel passage is a continuation of last Sunday’s with Jesus moving from the parables of growth—i.e., weeds and wheat, mustard seed and leaven—to the parables that demand wise discernment, decision and devotion. The kingdom of heaven is both, a gift and a task, with the true disciple always opting for the kingdom, despite the difficulties faced and the price to be paid.
Three Signposts from Scripture:
- Wisdom and Discernment for the Kingdom: From the first reading one can guess the origins of the simile ‘as wise as Solomon’. Son of King David by Bathsheba, Solomon succeeded David as king in Jerusalem in the year 970 BC. During his reign of thirty-eight years, he built a temple for Yahweh and a palace for himself. Gibeon—meaning ‘hill’ or ‘elevated place’ in Hebrew—was a hotspot of ritual activity about six miles northwest of Jerusalem.
The tabernacle of the Lord and the altar of burnt offerings were at Gibeon (see 1 Chron 16:39, 21:29; 2 Chron 1:3, 1:13). Therefore, Solomon offered “a thousand burnt offerings on that altar” (1 Kings 3:4), which is the setting of the dream-darshan that he has when God says: “Ask what I should give you!” (v.5). Solomon could have asked for a palace, power, prestige, property and popularity; rather, he replies: “Give your servant an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this, your great people?” (v.9). Solomon pleads for wisdom – “an understanding mind” for ruling “able to discern between good and evil”.
We’re told, “It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this” (v.10). Consequently, he was granted wisdom and everything else unasked for: “riches and honour all your life; no other king shall compare with you.” Doesn’t that remind you of what Jesus promises us: “Strive first for the kingdom of God … and all these things will be given to you as well”? (Mt 6:33)
- Decisions for the Kingdom: The gospel passage has three parables, two of which are similar and drive home a message: though the kingdom of heaven is a gift, it is also a task. Apart from wisely weighing the pros and cons, one must additionally take a leap and make a bold decision in favour of the kingdom. Imagine the two situations in the Palestine of Jesus’ time. At a time when there were no lockers and banks, for fear of robbers or invaders from neighbouring territories, one would often bury all the gold and other treasures that one had, with the hope of retrieval at a future, safer date. However, often the owner would die, leaving the treasures buried. It’s clear that the one digging in the field was working for someone else; thus, he was overjoyed to stumble upon a treasure of such immense value.
Similarly, the merchant in search of pearls is overwhelmed at finding a pearl of such great worth that both these men make a bold decision to dispose of all they have in order to own the field and the pearl, respectively. To others who knew not what they had found, their decisions must’ve seemed rash, hasty and foolish. But they alone knew how very vital it was to decide there-and-then for something of immeasurable and unsurpassable value.
Aren’t these two joyful squanderers very different from the rich young man who “became sad” when Jesus asked him to dispose off all he had in order to follow him? (Mt 19:22).
- ‘Net-working’ for the Kingdom: The parable of the dragnet would have been easily understood by Jesus’ closest disciples—most of who were fisherfolk. They would have so often dragged nets ashore with all kinds of fish trapped therein. Once ashore, they would separate the small from the big, the good from the bad, the cheap from the costly. The point that Jesus makes here is a follow-up and fulfillment of the former two points. Indeed, one must be wise and discerning, as well as bold in deciding and doing… But all this discerning and decision-making must be continued in a patient and persevering manner. Jesus’ “follow me and I will make you fish for people” offer (Mk 1:17) was not only directed towards making them leave behind their nets, but also to follow him to the very end. This would mean taking his command to ‘go forth’ seriously, in order to network with all kinds of people, so to say, to use terminology of our day. They were to be ready for ups and down, successes and failures, joys and sorrows, minister to the good and the bad—and, to the extent that they would fulfill this, their mission, to that extent they would finally be counted as either good or bad, faithful or faithless, sheep or goats….. A choice for the kingdom involves lifelong commitment.
Linking the Second Reading to the Theme:
While Matthew’s parables speak of the disciples choosing for Jesus and his kingdom of heaven, in the second reading, Paul speaks of God choosing us. God chooses, God calls, God justifies, God glorifies. While God’s calling and choosing is a matter of grace—a totally unmerited gift; the ‘chosen ones’ have the responsibility of wisely discerning, freely deciding and wholeheartedly dedicating their entire lives to respond to the God who calls, chooses and consecrates in order that these “be conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus” (v.29). And, if you and me are truly grateful and generous, is there any price too high for serving God? Is there any sacrifice—even to the point of giving one’s whole life—not worth making? … Don’t “we know that all things work together for the good for those who love God”? (v.28)
Three Wise Disciples Worth Emulating:
St Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556): whose feast we celebrate this week (July 31) is well known for his views on ‘Discernment’ and the ‘Magis’: the ‘more’. Wise and devoted disciples must ceaselessly ask: What ‘more’ can I do for Christ and for God’s people?
Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) was a Lutheran pastor who resisted Hitler and the Nazi genocide. He declared: “The church must not simply bandage the victims under the wheel, but jam a spoke in the wheel itself.” His book, “The Cost of Discipleship” shows how much wise
discernment, bold decision and 100% dedication to the kingdom can cost a disciple. The Nazis hanged him. He gladly and gratefully bore the cost of discipleship.
St Alphonsa (1910-1946): bore untold sufferings in a spirit of surrender and trust in God. She said, “I am ready to suffer not only physical ailments—which she had in plenty—but anything. Let the Lord do with me as He wills, trampling over, wounding or piercing me, a humble sacrificial offering.” Her feast, too, comes this week (July 28).
Point to ponder: After an astounding performance, a fan of the famous violinist, Fritz Kreisler, said, “Maestro Kreisler, I’d sacrifice my whole life to play the violin as beautifully as you do!” Kreisler replied, “I’ve already done that!” Jesus doesn’t ask for much from us; He asks for all!
Fr. Francis Gonsalves is a Gujarat Jesuit, former Principal of Vidyajyoti College, Delhi, and currently Dean of Theology at Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune. He is also the Executive Secretary of the CCBI Commission for Theology and Doctrine. He has authored many books and articles and is a columnist with The Asian Age and The Deccan Chronicle national dailies.