This Sermon is prepared by
Rev.Fr.Peter Jayakanthan sss
Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament
Corpus Christi Catholic Church,
Houston, Texas, US
17th Sunday of Ordinary Time-YearMomentary happiness…or….World of Happiness1Kgs3:5, 7-12; Rom 8:28-30; Mt13:44-52Dear Sisters, Brothers and Children, we thank the Almighty for bringing us around this Eucharistic altar to have communion with Him and with one another. These past few weeks, we have been hearing about various plane crashes, the loss of innocent people and the unending violence in the Middle East. Today, we gather with all the victims, with their families and all those who believe in the violent act of war and ask that The Lord may grant them the power of an understanding heart to protect people as their treasure. Prayer is a powerful weapon; we shall believe and begin to practice it from now.There was a preacher who fell in the ocean and couldn't swim. When a boat came by, the captain yelled, "Do you need help, sir?" The preacher calmly said "No, God will save me." A little later, another boat came by and a fisherman asked, "Hey, do you need help?" The preacher replied again, "No God will save me." Eventually the preacher drowned and went to heaven. Once there, the preacher asked God, "Why didn't you save me?" God replied, "Fool, I sent you two boats!" What would you do if you won a lottery? What would you do if you are the president for a month? What would you do if you have a private audience with Pope Francis? If you were offered an entire country, which country you would choose? If an angel appears in your dream, wishing to grant you three wishes, what would it be?Long life with good health? Financial help? We have lots of responses to the question “What if?” It shows that we have a big bucket list, which we carry all along. If we analyze it, my bucket list will contain my wishes, my dreams, my desires and my hopes. Still, we don’t feel happy, because our bucket never remains empty-rather in becomes big. Today’s readings invite us to desire only an understanding heart on our bucket list. What is this understanding heart? King Solomon realized what really an understanding heart is. In the year 970 B.C., Solomon succeeded his father David and ruled for 38 years over the People of Israel, nearly 800,000 persons. During his reign, he built the Jerusalem temple, a palace, he initiated trade by through friendly relations with his neighbors, and Queen of Sheba visited him to witness his achievements. From salvation history, we know that dreams are moments of revelation from God. In a dream, the Lord came to Solomon and asked him, “If I desire to grant you a favor, what is your choice, wish and longing?“ The young Solomon did not ask for long years, for financial help, nor for victory. Instead, he asked for an “understanding heart”. God showered in abundance more than He could ask. What is the meaning of understanding heart? In Hebrew “Lebshema” means a listening heart. Solomon did not want his own bucket list, he did not want to act and do as he liked. He knows that it is not his rule, not his kingdom, but It is God’s kingdom and His kingdom of people. He should not be in driver’s seat, but rather he should constantly remind to himself that God is in the driver’s seat. We struggle between our intellect and our will. Solomon proves that a listening heart is the seat of both our intellect and will. Solomon discerned that he can maintain a just kingdom only by being a skillful listener. History proves that he was successful, as long as he could listen to God and His people and sustained an understanding mind. The moment he began to listen only to his own desires and wishes, he became a failure. It then became all about his will rather than God’s will. People want us to listen and understand their needs and wishes. As people in authority, people with responsibility and being in leadership roles, do we do our will or God’s will? Do we carry our big bucket list or do we with our heart? When we are keen on fulfilling our bucket list, then we look for momentary happiness, but when we make efforts according to His plan then we enter into the world of Happiness. Acting on only our will leads to spiritual darkness. Living with will of God the Father offers our union with God and communion with our community. How do we enter into the world of happiness and how do we possess an understanding heart? Today’s gospel reading gives us an answer to these. Jesus is offering pictures of three things: treasure from the field, a merchant searching for a pearl and nets to gather fishes. All three of these signify richness, preciousness and happiness. To get this happiness of life one has to let go and die to oneself. Treasure found in the field: The country was invaded and attacked so many times, that people ran away during those life threatening moments after burying their precious things. Many might have not come back, so when a new person finds this treasure, he needs to buy the land by selling all that he has in order to possess this treasure. An understanding heart is like this treasure. Precious Pearl: We are called, just as the searching merchant, to keep seeking the hidden pearl. Net to gather all the fishes: We gather as a community of people and children of one family. All the above: the precious treasure, the pearl and the net, will bring us happiness, but we cannot get it without dying to our desires and wishes. All three involve the community of people, so our constant call is to listen to others and to be part of the kingdom of people. Henry Ford (1863-1947) was the famous American motor manufacturer. He pioneered large-scale motor production. He was the founder of the Ford Motor Company. A man, who went to interview Mr. Ford when he was eighty-seven years old, was surprised to find him calm and serene. The interviewer asked him, “Sir, are you not worried in your life? You have to face so many problems every day and deal with so many workers. Don’t you feel the strain on yourself?” Henry Ford replied, “No! I am not worried. I believe that God is managing the affairs and He doesn’t need my advice. With God in charge, I believe that everything will work for the best in the end.” In today’s second reading, St. Paul assures us that all things work for good for those who love God. How is my bucket list? Where is my happiness? Pray and practice with an understanding heart-amen. 
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