17th Week in Ordinary Time : Sunday 30th July 2023

If you were offered the granting of one wish, what would it be? Our answer to that question tells a lot about who we are. When God offered Solomon the granting of a wish, he asked for wisdom. Wisdom is not knowledge – we are drowning in a sea of facts and information.

Wisdom is the ability to discern right from wrong and to make choices that are in harmony with God and our purpose on earth. God grants us something even better – His constant loving presence and guidance. If we truly love God and seek His ways, all will work out for our well-being.

God is preparing us for glory. The kingdom of God was likened to a valuable pearl and a treasure in a field. The merchant had to sell everything to obtain the pearl because it was so valuable. As for the treasure in the field, the man had to buy the field first to have ownership.

Both signify God-consciousness; we must be willing to leave behind much to obtain it. It is very different from our ordinary human experience. God’s ways are not human. The parable of the net tells us not to be overwhelmed by the presence of evil in the world. Evil and good must coexist until the final day. Even negative things serve a purpose – they show us what good is and encourage us to always seek the way of God.

Lord, grant me wisdom and illuminate the path to Your kingdom.