DAILY- HOMILY

July 30, 2017 - 17th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Green

1 Kgs 3: 5, 7- 22 / Rom 8: 28- 30 / Mt 13: 44 -52

FROM THE FIRST READING:          1 Kgs 3: 5, 9

     It was in Gibeon, during the night, that Yahweh appeared to Solomon in a dream and said, "Ask what you want me to give you."

     Solomon said, "Give me, therefore, an understanding mind in governing your people that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this multitude of people of yours?"

     Yahweh was pleased that Solomon made this request. And he told him, "Because you have requested this rather than long life or wealth or even vengeance on your enemies; indeed because you have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I shall grant you your request. I now give you a wise and discerning mind such as no one before you nor anyone after you shall ever have.

     "I will also give you what you have not asked for, both wealth and fame, and no king shall be your equal during your lifetime. Moreover, if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and commands, as your father David did, I shall give you long life."

2nd Reading:      Rom 8: 28- 30

     We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him, whom he has called according to his plan. Those whom he knew beforehand, he has also predestined to be like his Son, similar to him, so that he may be the Firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And so, those whom God predestined he called, and those whom he called he makes righteous, and those whom he makes righteous he will give his glory.

From the GOSPEL READING:        Mt 13: 44- 50

     Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. The one who finds it buries it again; and so happy is he that he goes and sells everything he has in order to buy that field.

     "Again the kingdom of heaven is like a trader who is looking for fine pearls. Once he has found a pearl of exceptional quality, he goes away, sells everything he has and buys it.

     "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a big fishing net let down into the sea, in which every kind of fish has been caught. When the net is full, it is dragged ashore. Then they sit down and gather the good fish in buckets, but throw the worthless ones away. That is how it will be at the end of time; the angels will go out to separate the wicked from the just and throw them into the blazing furnace, where they will weep and gnash their teeth."

REFLECTION

     If a genie from a magic lamp or a powerful fairy godmother were to appear before you, what would you wish for? What is it that you desire the most? Although genies and fairy godmothers may not be real, what we really desire the most is a reality in our lives.

     Our reading about Solomon and Jesus' parables about the kingdom of God, call us to ask ourselves what we desire the most for ourselves.

     King Solomon asked for a discerning mind. God was so pleased with what Solomon asked for that he also gifted him with wealth, fame and a long life.

     The Gospel parables about the kingdom of God as a treasure in a field or an exceptionally valuable pearl or good fish caught in the fisherman's net stress the value of the kingdom of heaven: the finder of the treasure in the field and the finder of the exceptional pearl would sell all they have to obtain what they valued most. So we ask ourselves: "What matters to me most?"

     Let us pray for the grace to passionately long only for God. May we have the strength to overcome whatever challenges there may be in our quest for God, our greatest treasure, our pearl of great price. In our search for him may we be ready to surrender everything to find and reach him, "Lord, we firmly believe that everything in our lives will work for good if we seek and find you."

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     RICHARD ROY TAN

PRAYER INTENTION 

     JONATHAN & VIRGINIA HO GOTAMCO

     TOBY & HAZEL IMPERIAL TAN

IN MEMORIAM (†) 

     MA. BRIGIDA R. ALAGAR

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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   |  The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the

   |  priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish

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