Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Mt. 13:44-52) “What Do I Choose?”

Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Mt. 13:44-52) “What Do I Choose?”

        We are faced with a choice as Christian people. We choose between the reign of God.  Or we choose to live by valuing the things that the world constantly tells us that we should want.  We vote for what we desire by how we live our lives.

        A story is told about a politician who died and was met by St. Peter at the pearly gates.  St. Peter surprised the politician by saying, “You get to choose where you want to spend eternity.”  St. Peter first took the politician to heaven.  Heaven was nice.  Angels were floating on clouds plucking on harps.   Everyone seemed serene as they looked at the beatific vision.  

        Next St. Peter took the politician to Hell.  A great party was going on. On one side of Hell was a dance floor with a big band.  Couples were dancing with delight.  Everyone seemed to be happy.  On the other side of Hell was a banquet table with foods of every description.  Also, there was an open bar where people could have anything they wanted.

        The politician said to Peter, “Heaven is nice, but I choose Hell.”  When the politician turned to go into Hell everything changed.  Hell turned into a fiery furnace as hot as the weather we endured last week.  The politician said, “What happened?” Peter said, “You got to realize the campaign is over.  Your vote has been counted.  Now things are real.”

        Jesus tells two parables today.  He often paired stories with similar themes.  Some have said that when we write about a subject there is usually autobiographical information in our writing.  We could also say that when people share stories they are attracted to truths that reflect what is going on in their life.

        What we perceive from the parables that Jesus told is that his parables reflect what his life experience was.  Jesus had to make a choice.  He had to decide whether he was going to live out worldly values.  His other option was to live out the values that he labeled the reign of God.  His choice is our choice.  We are not simply to be edified with how Jesus lived.  We are to try to live that way.  But this will require giving up something to get something.  Living in the Kingdom of Jesus comes with a personal cost.

        We see that described in the parable of the treasure in the field.  The man who finds the treasure was probably a day laborer.  He found a container full of money buried in the earth, not an unusual occurrence 2,000 years ago.  The law was that one who owned a piece of land had a right to whatever was on that property.  The man probably sold his home with all the contents.  He scraped together all his savings.  He risked everything in order to buy the piece of property.  He didn’t do so grudgingly.  Nor was he fearful.  But he did so with joy.

        We see the same dynamic with the man who buys the pearl.  He is a merchant who is very wealthy.  He is a wheeler dealer.  But one day he finds what he has been looking for all his life.  He sells everything enthusiastically to buy the pearl.  Jesus doesn’t ask us to do what he hasn’t done.  He gave his privileged place up to live in the kingdom.

        What does this kingdom look like? Where can we find it? When the Pharisees asked Jesus that question in the Gospel of Luke (17:20) Jesus said the “Kingdom of God is in your midst.  Or the reign of God is within you.”  We don’t have to go looking on the other side of the world to find the Kingdom of Jesus.  We don’t have to wait until we die to find it.  No, we have it within us.

        When we were made by God, God breathed his spirit into us.  Each person is divine.  We all are destined for immortality, but do we live with that understanding?  If we look at the messages the world around us gives, we are told that we need material things to be happy.  We need to be in charge to find joy.  It is said we must be liked by everyone to be satisfied in this world.  Such is the propaganda we are fed.  We need to buy another truth.  We weren’t made for worldly things.  If they come our way, it is good. If they don’t, we can still find satisfaction.  We are here on earth to serve others.  Humility is the hallmark of the Christian.  Finally, we probably are never going to be liked by everyone because if we live out the virtues of the Kingdom they will clash with the priorities of the world.  We, like Jesus, will be ridiculed for not blending in.  If we are, it is a sign we are on the right track.

        Jesus tells us that we embrace these values because they transcend this world.  Our time here points to what will come.  We live with holy indifference.  Jesus has shown us who we are. Our challenge is to accept the truth.  And that truth will set us free.

Reflection questions:

What is my main goal in life?  Does it reflect the reign of God?

Why are there so many dissatisfied people?  Could it be that we are pursuing the wrong things?

Dear Parishioners,

        On the weekend of August 5th and 6th, we will be asking parishioners to go take a message out into the world.  We would like to invite those who want to learn more about the faith to join us for our catechetical programs.  We want to teach those who want to know more about the Kingdom of Jesus.  There is a great hunger in the world for the Gospel message.  We probably have all heard that our world is falling apart.  Loneliness, polarization, climate change as well as a host of other issues cry out for a remedy.  Healing can come from becoming followers of Jesus Christ.  Does our faith bring us solace?  If so, then why not invite others to receive the same gift?

        We will be sharing information at Mass about our Religious Education initiatives.  But most of the people who need to hear about such things will not be at Mass.  We need those who are at Mass to be messengers who take information about our parish out to others.  We are inviting people of all ages, people who are very young to those who are mature.

        If you have questions about how someone might join us to learn about Jesus, just call our office.

        May Our Lady Pray for Our Wounded World,

        Fr. Mark

P.S. This is time of Eucharistic Revival. In order to enjoy the fullest expression of the Eucharist we should receive both the body and blood of the Lord.  One way we can revive Eucharistic practice is to share the precious blood with the community.  We have revived this practice at our 8 a.m. daily Mass and on Sunday at 9:15 Mass.  We would like to expand this practice, but we need people to volunteer to distribute communion.  Ministers would not be committing to every week but would take turns.  An extraordinary minister should be confirmed and be a practicing Catholic in a valid marriage.  If you are interested contact our office.

P.P.S. Our Hispanic Ministry Committee is planning to offer refreshments after the Masses on September 17th.  Please watch the bulletin for more details.