Seek first the Kingdom of God

Jul 28, 2023

Reflecting on our Sunday Readings with Dcn Elvost Luchi MHM

17th Sunday of Ordinary Time (A)
Readings: 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12
Romans 8:28-30;
Gospel: Matthew 13:44-52

The world is rapidly modernised by technological advancement and overwhelmed by capitalism. People, forced to engage in this fast, ever-changing world, are struggling to find and express their identities while providing for their families.

Christians are exposed to digital media and consumerism which threaten their core values and faith. Today, we are invited to pray and to discern more on our aims in life. As Christians, what are we seeking for in life?

In today’s Gospel of Matthew, we are reminded that the Kingdom of God is like a treasure or a great pearl. It is very precious and its value is immeasurable. Once it is found, the lives of those who found it will be changed, and they will experience eternal joy.

For the Catholics, the Kingdom of God is a kingdom of love, peace and justice, where God is ruling in our hearts. Have we found the Kingdom of God? Have we ever experienced God living in us and within us? Once we have encountered God and experienced His love in our lives, we would be willing to give up everything and to invest all that we have in order for us to re-live that experience and to be part of it.

To find the Kingdom of God is not an easy undertaking. It requires sacrifice, self-emptying, and a total commitment. In sacrifice, a Christian unites one’s own life and sufferings to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Meanwhile, self-emptying entails one to empty oneself of ego, resentment, judgment, anxiety, and desire as Jesus emptied Himself. And total commitment refers to having Jesus Christ as Lord in all aspects of our lives. In order for us to find the Kingdom of God, we have to imitate Jesus Christ and put Him at the centre of our lives.

How do we fix our eyes on the Lord? Nowadays, we are surrounded by many things which cloud our minds and hearts and hinder us from focusing on the Lord, our God. The existence and advancement of the information and communication technology contribute to the distraction of the minds. We are exposed and over flooded with information on the economy, politics, and society which can trigger anxiety, doubt, anger, etc. Technology is meant to improve our lives and the benefit people. We are not supposed to be enslaved by it. In dealing with digital information, there is a need to sort out and make use of this technology wisely.

In order for us to make a wise judgment, we are invited to follow the example of Solomon, as written in the First Book of Kings. In order to do so, in humility, we need to acknowledge ourselves and our circumstances in front of God. Solomon, who was a young man, acknowledged his dispositions: being young, unskilled in leadership, and being in the middle of God’s multitude of chosen people (and not his own people). Then, like Solomon also, we are called to pray and ask for a heart to understand how to discern between good and evil. This is not for our own personal gains but it is in order for us to be able to do God’s will in serving others. Discerning judgment is very crucial in order for us to live an authentic Christian life!

Today’s Gospel also reminds us that judgment is real at the end of time. The wicked will be thrown into the blazing furnace. This tells us that God’s call is demanding, but it is not impossible. To find the Kingdom of God is not an impossible mission. We are never left alone after the Ascension of Christ. God has sent the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit is ever present to help us. The Holy Spirit enables us to do God’s will and to abide in His love.

In his Letter to the Romans, St Paul affirms that God cooperates with all those who love Him and with all those He has called according to His purpose. We are called to be assimilated in Christ and it is God who is calling, justifying and sharing His glory to us all. Therefore, we need to respond generously and wholeheartedly to this call. We need to seek first the Kingdom of God!