Homily For The 17th Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year A.

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 1 Kings 3:5. 7-12; Psalm 119:57. 72. 76-77. 127-130; Romans 8:28-30; Matthew 13:44-52.

“DISPOSITION TO PRAYER!”

By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide.

·       Prayer is a communication between man and God. The Catholic simple catechism teaches that prayer is the “lifting of our heart and mind to God”. Through prayers, we empty our hearts to God and, in return, discern God’s will in our lives.

·       Unfortunately for most Christians, they think that prayers and divine favours must go hand in hand. When we pray, we give God conditions and deadlines. We ask God for the things we do not need in prayers. Our prayer request becomes an order to God.

·       Dear friends in Christ, when you pray, what is the content of your prayer? What is your understanding of prayer? Note that not all prayers must be saturated by requests and demands, and that is why we have different kinds of prayers in the church. Sadly, for many of us, in the bid to pray, we have ended up annoying God.

·       Today, King Solomon gives us the right disposition to prayer in the first reading (1 Kings 3:5, 7-12). We all know the history of Solomon in the scriptures, especially his notoriety for women. However, that did not prevent him from finding favour with God.

·       Dear friends in Christ, God’s love for us makes it able for God to hear our prayers, but righteousness makes our prayers answerable. Solomon asked for the right things in prayer; therefore, he got everything in superabundance.

·       Dearly beloved in Christ, critically analysing the prayer of Solomon in the first reading, we will then understand why God answered him and gave him even more:

-        Solomon’s prayer was filled with passion for the good of others and not the good of self. When last did you pray for someone in need? When last did you kneel to thank God for past favours received? When last did you pray that others do as well as you are doing, if not better than you? Until we learn to be generous and selfless in prayers, our prayers may not be answerable.

-        Solomon acknowledged the supremacy of God. He believed that God who has brought him thus far will see him to the end. He believed that if the Lord walks with him, the journey will be faster and better, and he will reach his destination. In your prayer request, do you see God as your all and all? Or while praying, do you still make room for an emergency exit like visiting “baba lawo” and the likes?

-        Solomon prayed for divine wisdom. Wisdom could be likened to intimacy with God. He knew that if you have God, you have everything. What do we pray for? New car, new house, new job, children, husband or wife, material breakthrough? Why not pray for wisdom and intimacy with God first and, in turn, be given everything? Remember that when you seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, everything will become ours (Matt. 6:33).

·       The second reading (Romans 8:28-30) assures us that if we put God first, he will put us first too. St. Paul remarked, “We know that by turning everything to their good, God co-operates with all those who love him, with all those he has called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28). God loves you, and He has called you for a purpose. All we need do is accept his offer and put him first in all we do and everything we become ours.

·       The gospel reading (Matthew 13:44-52) tells us that the mysteries of God’s kingdom are quite deep and confusing; however, those who value it and desire it will always find it.  It is that secret that Solomon discovered and treasured it and today he is reckoned as the wisest man that ever lived.

·       The Psalmist today tells us, “O Lord, how I love your law” (Ps. 119:97). We may ask ourselves what the law of the Lord is. It is to have the right disposition to prayer and to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and every other thing will become our own like Solomon (Matt. 6:33).

·       Today we pray for the divine wisdom to put God first in all our endeavours and to realise that once we are in a deep and lasting relationship with God, we will lack nothing and no harm will ever befall us through Christ our Lord, Amen!

·       Happy Sunday!!!

 

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