Beloved Brothers and Sisters, We are all reminded to put orders in our lives. To focus on God's Kingdom. From the Heart, Fr. Heart, SVD

1. Welcome to the Bible
Study
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
30 July 2017
In preparation for this Sunday’s Liturgy
In aid of focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

2.  5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at
night. God said, "Ask something of me and I will give it to
you." 7 O LORD, my God, you have made me, your servant,
king to succeed my father David; but I am a mere youth, not
knowing at all how to act. 8 I serve you in the midst of the
people whom you have chosen, a people so vast that it
cannot be numbered or counted. 9 Give your servant,
therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to
distinguish right from wrong. For who is able to govern this
vast people of yours?" 10 The LORD was pleased that
Solomon made this request. 11 So God said to him:
"Because you have asked for this -- not for a long life for
yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies, but for
understanding so that you may know what is right -- 12 I do
as you requested. I give you a heart so wise and
understanding that there has never been anyone like you up
to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you.
First Reading: 1 Kings 3:5,7-12
The focus is on having understanding. (wisdom)

3. God approaches Solomon in his dream
 5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God
said, "Ask something of me and I will give it to you."
Prayer of Solomon
 7 O LORD, my God, you have made me, your servant, king to succeed my
father David; but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act. 8 I
serve you in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a people so
vast that it cannot be numbered or counted. 9 Give your servant,
therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish
right from wrong. For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?"
The Response of God
 10 The LORD was pleased that Solomon made this request. 11 So God
said to him: "Because you have asked for this -- not for a long life for
yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies, but for
understanding so that you may know what is right -- 12 I do as you
requested. I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has
never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no
one to equal you.
First Reading: 1 Kings 3:5,7-12 A simple outline!

4.  5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon
in a dream at night. God said, "Ask
something of me and I will give it to you."
 7 O LORD, my God, you have made
me, your servant, king to succeed my
father David; but I am a mere youth,
not knowing at all how to act. 8 I
serve you in the midst of the people
whom you have chosen, a people so
vast that it cannot be numbered or
counted. 9 Give your servant,
therefore, an understanding heart to
judge your people and to distinguish
right from wrong. For who is able to
govern this vast people of yours?"
 10 The LORD was pleased that Solomon
made this request. 11 So God said to him:
"Because you have asked for this -- not for a
long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for
the life of your enemies, but for
understanding so that you may know what is
right -- 12 I do as you requested. I give you
a heart so wise and understanding that
there has never been anyone like you up to
now, and after you there will come no one to
equal you.
Commentary
 In v.5, God comes to Solomon
in a dream and asks if he needs
anything from him.
 In vv.7-9, Solomon says a
prayer right away.
 In his prayer, he acknowledges
the following:
 The source of his power
/authority (God)
 His inexperience (youth).
 His lowly origin (servant), now
king.
 His mission to serve, v.8
 The bulk of his work (so many
people to serve, innumerable)
 In v.9, Solomon now expresses
his petition:
 To give him an understanding
heart.
 He needs this to:
 Judge God’s people
 Discern right from wrong.
First Reading: 1 Kings 3:5,7-12

5.  5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon
in a dream at night. God said, "Ask
something of me and I will give it to you."
 7 O LORD, my God, you have made me,
your servant, king to succeed my
father David; but I am a mere youth,
not knowing at all how to act. 8 I
serve you in the midst of the people
whom you have chosen, a people so
vast that it cannot be numbered or
counted. 9 Give your servant,
therefore, an understanding heart to
judge your people and to distinguish
right from wrong. For who is able to
govern this vast people of yours?"
 10 The LORD was pleased that Solomon
made this request. 11 So God said to him:
"Because you have asked for this -- not for a
long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the
life of your enemies, but for understanding so
that you may know what is right -- 12 I do as
you requested. I give you a heart so wise
and understanding that there has never
been anyone like you up to now, and after
you there will come no one to equal you.
 In v.10, God is pleased with
Solomon’s prayer.
 Solomon prayed for the right
thing.
 In v.11, God enumerates
what Solomon could have
asked for, but did not:
 Long life
 Riches
 Death of his enemies
 Instead, Solomon asked for
understanding: to know what
is right.
 In v.12, God grants the prayer
of Solomon.
 He gives him a heart so wise
and understanding, never
given to anyone before and
thereafter.
First Reading: 1 Kings 3:5,7-12

6. Reflections on the 1st reading
 The reading provides a material for the theology of
governance.
 Governing a lot of people, one nation, is a big task.
 One must not only be a morally upright person, but
must also have wisdom and understanding.
 He must know how to judge well (his criteria is
God’s, not his personal interests).
 Governance has nothing to do with living in pomp
and wealth, but dispensing justice and serving the
least.

7. Resp. Ps. 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130
R. (97a) Lord, I love your commands.
57 I have said, O LORD, that my part
is to keep your words.
72 The law of your mouth is to me more precious
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
76 Let your kindness comfort me
according to your promise to your servants.
77 Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight.
127 For I love your command
more than gold, however fine.
128 For in all your precepts I go forward;
every false way I hate.
129 Wonderful are your decrees;
therefore I observe them.
130 The revelation of your words sheds light,
giving understanding to the simple.

8. Resp. Ps. 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130
R. (97a) Lord, I love your commands.
57 I have said, O LORD, that my part
is to keep your words.
72 The law of your mouth is to me more
precious than thousands of gold and
silver pieces.
76 Let your kindness comfort me
according to your promise to your
servants.
77 Let your compassion come to me
that I may live,
for your law is my delight.
127 For I love your command
more than gold, however fine.
128 For in all your precepts I go
forward; every false way I hate.
129 Wonderful are your decrees;
therefore I observe them.
130 The revelation of your words sheds
light,
giving understanding to the simple.
Commentary
 The psalmist expresses his
love and devotion to God’s
law.
 He uses other words / terms to
describe God’s law.
 To keep your words, v.57
 The law of your mouth, v.72
 Your law, v.77
 Your command, v.127
 Your precepts, v.128
 Your decrees, v.129
 Revelation of your words,
v.130
 We cannot miss the point of
the psalmist: God’s law.
 God’s law is a treasure, more
valuable than money, silver
and gold.

9. Reflections on the Psalm
 We, Christians, must learn how to treasure and
value God’s law.
 Like the Psalmist, we must enjoy keeping God’s law.
 We must give priority to doing God’s commands.
 God’s commands are of higher value than wealth
and material possessions.
 Don’t sacrifice God’s laws in exchange for wealth,
power and prestige. Don’t be materialistic and
worldly. Don’t oppress the poor.

10. Second Reading: Romans 8,28-30
 28 We know that all things work for good
for those who love God, who are called
according to his purpose. 29 For those
he foreknew he also predestined to be
conformed to the image of his Son, so
that he might be the firstborn among
many brothers. 30 And those he
predestined he also called; and those he
called he also justified; and those he
justified he also glorified.

11. Second Reading: Romans 8,28-30
 28 We know that all things work for good for
those who love God, who are called according to
his purpose.
 29 For those he foreknew he also predestined to
be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he
might be the firstborn among many brothers.
 30 And those he predestined he also called;
 and those he called he also justified;
 and those he justified he also glorified.
The focus is on great rewards.

12. Second Reading: Romans 8,28-30
 28 We know that all things
work for good for those who
love God, who are called
according to his purpose.
 29 For those he foreknew he
also predestined to be
conformed to the image of his
Son, so that he might be the
firstborn among many
brothers.
 30 And those he predestined
he also called;
 and those he called he also
justified;
 and those he justified he also
glorified.
Commentary
 V.28 affirms that everything
turns out good for those
who love God and are
called to love.
 This is a general statement.
 Vv.29-30 specify what God
does to them (to those he
foreknew):
 He predestined…
 He called
 He justified
 He glorified
 God is superbly generous to
those whom he calls.

13. Reflections on the second reading
 What happens to Christians who love Christ?
 God showers them with his blessings and graces.
 These are not ordinary blessings, but generous and
abundant blessings.
 To be predestined to be like Christ, to be called, to
be justified, or, to be glorified is not a small matter.
 It is more than a jackpot in a game of chance, or
lotto.
 God is unfathomably generous to those who
respond to the call of Jesus.
 Do you look forward to this great reward?

14. Gospel: Matthew 13,44-52
 44 "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field,
which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and
sells all that he has and buys that field.
 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching
for fine pearls. 46 When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes
and sells all that he has and buys it.
 47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the
sea, which collects fish of every kind. 48 When it is full they
haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets.
What is bad they throw away. 49 Thus it will be at the end of the
age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the
righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there
will be wailing and grinding of teeth.
 51 "Do you understand all these things?" They answered,
"Yes." 52 And he replied, "Then every scribe who has been
instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a
household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the
old."
The focus is on the kingdom of heaven.

15. Gospel: Matthew 13,44-52
Parable of the Treasure
 44 "The kingdom of heaven is like a
treasure buried in a field, 2 which a person
finds and hides again, and out of joy goes
and sells all that he has and buys that
field.
Parable of the Pearl
 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a
merchant searching for fine pearls. 46
When he finds a pearl of great price, he
goes and sells all that he has and buys it.
Parable of the Dragnet (like the Parable of
the wheat and weeds)
 47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a
net thrown into the sea, which collects fish
of every kind. 48 When it is full they haul
it ashore and sit down to put what is good
into buckets. What is bad they throw
away. 49 Thus it will be at the end of the
age. The angels will go out and separate
the wicked from the righteous 50 and
throw them into the fiery furnace, where
there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.
51 "Do you understand all these things?" They
answered, "Yes." 52 And he replied,
"Then every scribe who has been
instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like
the head of a household who brings from
his storeroom both the new and the old."
The gospel talks about the kingdom of
heaven in parables. Matthew compiles
the parables of the kingdom in chapter
13.
The first two parables talk about the
joy of finding the treasure (the
kingdom of God itself) and giving up
everything to acquire it.
The third parable talks about the
mixture of good and evil at present;
but at the end, there will be
separation. The wicked will be thrown
away.
This parable sends a strong warning
to evildoers.
The scribe here may refer to the author
himself. He is able to bring out
(entertain/integrate) the new (Jesus’
teachings) and the old, still valid (Jewish
laws).

16. Reflections on the gospel reading
 First of all, the kingdom (reign) of God is a mystery.
 We cannot have a complete picture of it.
 But for sure, according to the parables, there is joy
when you find it.
 You are willing to give up everything to possess it.
You will act like a stupid person in the eyes of the
world.
 In God’s kingdom, when evil is weeded out, there
will be more joy.
 Have you given up anything to satisfy your hunger
for God?

17. Tying the three readings and the Psalm
 The first reading talks about wisdom and
understanding.
 The psalm talks about loving God’s laws.
 The second reading talks about great awards.
 The gospel reading talks about the kingdom of
heaven.

18. Suggestion for the Homily/Sharing
 To eradicate injustices, poverty, unhappiness,
and anarchy, what must we do?
 To promote harmony and joy in our world, what
must we do?
 How should we govern ourselves?
 The readings tell us how to put order into our
lives.

19.  The first reading teaches us to value wisdom
and understanding, to govern well.
 Politics should not be run by people who are
power hungry, megalomaniac, and blood-
thirsty.
 Governments should not be run by those who
do not have wisdom, because there will never
be justice.
 Wisdom and understanding can be attained by
opening ourselves to God in prayer, like
Solomon.

20.  The psalm teaches us the value of keeping God’s
laws.
 There is wisdom and joy in knowing and valuing
God’s precepts.
 God easily rescues those who fear him.
 Violations against God’s decrees are injustices.

21.  The second reading encourages us to love
God.
 God promises heaven (glory) to anyone who
responds to God’s love.
 We will never be disappointed if we love God.
 Great reward awaits those who love God and
her/his fellow human beings.
 Forget peace and justice if you don’t love
God and neighbor.

22.  If we are administrators (government officials,
politicians, officers of a private corporation) and
if we want peace in our workplace, we must
exercise justice.
 We must be prudent and wise, not to act
foolishly, making important decisions without
basis.
 We don’t listen to the dictates of our worldly
wives/husbands or children.
 We should not seek wealth and easy money in
our offices nor seek the death of our enemies.

23.  The gospel reading is an invitation to belong to
God’s kingdom and to enjoy everything that it offers.
 God runs his kingdom with justice, peace and
fairness.
 But we have to pay the price. We have to give up
everything, including wickedness.
 We cannot combine good and bad in governance.
There is no compromise with evil.
 We have to choose consciously the good, and avoid
evil.

24.  We stay away from friends addicted to gambling,
women, liquor, power and prohibited drugs.
 We choose a company that can enhance our
person, our performance and our religiosity.
 Solomon fell from disgrace because he allowed
just anyone (pagan concubines) to enter his court
and to influence him.

25.  We must protect our world, which is controlled by
the unjust systems, run by self-serving politicians
and their cohorts.
 The global economic system (market economy) is a
projection of the seven capital sins (pride, gluttony, envy,
sloth, coveteousness, lust, and anger).
 The so-called digital technology promotes injustice.
It has no conscience. It encourages useless
spending, like unnecessary text messages, tourism,
and credit cards.
 Beware of the hi-tech vultures.

26.  Our churches are not spared of confusion and
anarchy because people running them do not have
wisdom.
 They do not know where to get their wisdom.
 They are not engaged in ongoing formation and
encounters with the Word of God.
 They don’t listen to God, they don’t pray, they don’t
listen to their shepherds, who should know better.
 The leaders sit on their positions even if their ideas
are already obsolete or have no skills in
governance.
 Due to this and other reasons, involvement in the
church has become disastrous, traumatic and
frustrating.

27.  The eucharist is the sacrament that encourages
good governance.
 It is the food that strengthens us in our struggle to
govern with wisdom and justice.
 The eucharist is not for the corrupt and dishonest
officials.
 The eucharist is not also for the citizens, who tempt
or force those in power to corruption.
 When we receive the eucharist, we accept our
responsibility to govern with justice, wisdom and
fairness and not to induce others to sin.

28. Our Context of Sin and Grace
 Politics and business
run by people without
conscience
 Not service-oriented
 Absolute power
 Power tripper
 Leader without a vision
 Incompetent
administrator
 Graft and corruption
 No accountability
 Good governance
 Concern for the poor
 Transparency
 Guided by Vision and
Mission Statement

29. Suggested Songs
 Peace Prayer of St. Francis
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ8TGBB385c
 Bayang Tinawag
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhzcbwbfMe8

30.  "Lord Jesus, may your word take deep root in
my heart and transform my way of thinking,
discerning, and acting. May your Spirit open
my ears to hear and understand the word of
God in the Scriptures that I may revere and
treasure both the Old and the New
Testaments which God has prepared for all
who desire to enter his kingdom of
righteousness, peace, and joy. Help me to be
a diligent student and faithful disciple of your
word."