17 SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

If Jesus comes to you today and tells you: I am going to grant you one of your wishes, what is that you are going to ask?
Our first reading presents a similar situation. God came to Solomon and said,”Ask any one wish, I will grant you”. Any king aspires for three things: long life, wealth and victory over the enemy. However, Solomon asked none of these. Instead, he said,” Give me wisdom….the ability to discern what is best”.
Wisdom means divine knowledge.
Today we live in a complicated and complex world. At times, we do not know where to turn and what to choose. Push/ Pull- I have seen these two words on the door of different offices. It happened to me different times. Instead, pushing the door, we pulled it and instead of pulling the door, I pushed it.
More than ever, we need wisdom today.
Wisdom helps us in three ways.
1. Like the person in the first parable, it helps us to discover the real treasure of life. The three wise men from the east find the real treasure when they find Jesus. Jesus and his Kingdom is the real treasure.
2. Like the person in the second parable, wisdom gives us the courage to give up what is less important in view of the priceless treasure of life. Again, the three magi gave up there palace and all other material comforts to posses Jesus, the real treasure.
3. Like the person in the third parable, wisdom help us to be aware of the attractions that distract us from focusing on what really matters. For example, the Magi took a different route after meeting with Jesus.
Let us pray for the wisdom to know the way and the courage to stay focused and the perseverance to reach the goal.