Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A: Treasure of Heaven

Reflection on the Readings for the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A (July 26, 2026)

On this Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Church invites us to ponder the supreme value of God’s kingdom and the wisdom needed to seek it above all else. The readings—1 Kings 3:5, 7-12; Psalm 119; Romans 8:28-30; and Matthew 13:44-52—form a beautiful tapestry of discernment, trust, and wholehearted commitment.

In the first reading, the young King Solomon stands before God in a dream at Gibeon. Offered anything he desires—long life, riches, or victory over enemies—he instead asks for “an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.” God is pleased and grants him a wise and discerning heart unmatched by any before or after. Solomon recognizes his limitations (“I am a mere youth”) and prioritizes the good of the people God has entrusted to him over personal gain. True wisdom begins with humility and a desire to serve according to God’s will rather than our own ambitions.

The responsorial psalm echoes this love for divine wisdom: “Lord, I love your commands.” The psalmist treasures God’s law more than gold or silver, finding delight, comfort, and light in His precepts. God’s word illuminates the path for the simple and guides us away from false ways. Wisdom is not abstract knowledge but a living relationship with the Lord whose commands lead to life.

St. Paul deepens this theme in the second reading from Romans. He assures us that “all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” God’s providential care is not random; those He foreknew, He predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son. The path of discipleship—calling, justification, and ultimate glorification—unfolds under the loving hand of a Father who turns even difficulties toward our good when we love Him. This gives profound hope: our seeking of the kingdom is not a solitary effort but part of God’s eternal plan.

The Gospel brings these themes to a vivid climax through three short parables of the kingdom. Jesus compares it first to a treasure buried in a field. The finder hides it again and, filled with joy, sells everything to buy the field. Next, a merchant searching for fine pearls discovers one of great price and sells all he has to obtain it. Finally, the kingdom is like a net that gathers fish of every kind; at the end of the age, the angels will separate the good from the bad.

These images emphasize two complementary movements. Sometimes the kingdom “finds” us unexpectedly (like the treasure stumbled upon in a field); at other times we actively search for it (like the merchant). In both cases, the response is the same: radical reordering of priorities. Nothing else compares in value. Joy, not grim duty, fuels the sacrifice. The net parable adds a note of accountability and final judgment, reminding us that belonging to the kingdom involves discernment and fidelity until the end. Jesus concludes by calling His disciples to be like the wise householder who draws out both the new and the old—rooted in tradition yet open to the fresh revelation of the kingdom.

Together, the readings challenge us: What do we truly treasure? Do we ask God primarily for comfort, success, or security, or for an understanding heart that can discern His will? Are we willing to “sell all” — our lesser attachments, fears, or competing priorities — for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ and living in His kingdom? Paul’s words reassure us that this surrender is never in vain; God works all things for the good of those who love Him.

July 26 is also the memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and it coincides with the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly. Their quiet fidelity and the wisdom of the elderly remind us that the treasure of the kingdom is often passed on through faithful families and generational witness. Like Solomon, we need wisdom; like the finders in the parables, we need decisive joy; like Paul, we need trusting love.

May we ask the Lord today for an understanding heart. May we recognize the kingdom’s incomparable value and joyfully reorder our lives around it, confident that God is already at work conforming us to the image of His Son.

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Seek the Lord

February 1, 2026, marks the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time in Year A of the liturgical cycle. The readings invite us to contemplate God's preferential love for the humble, the lowly, and those who embrace the countercultural values of the Kingdom.

The First Reading from Zephaniah (2:3; 3:12-13) calls out: "Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth... perhaps you may be sheltered on the day of the LORD's anger." The prophet promises that God will leave behind "a humble and lowly people" who take refuge in His name, speaking no lies and grazing in peace without fear. This remnant is marked by humility, justice, and trust in God alone.

The Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9a, 9bc-10) echoes this theme, praising God who "secures justice for the oppressed... gives food to the hungry... sets captives free... raises up those who are bowed down... loves the just... protects strangers... sustains the fatherless and the widow." It is a hymn of divine reversal: God lifts the lowly and frustrates the ways of the wicked.

In the Second Reading, St. Paul in 1 Corinthians (1:26-31) reminds the community that few among them were wise, powerful, or noble by worldly standards. God chose the foolish, the weak, the lowly, and the despised "to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God." Our boasting is only in the Lord.

The Gospel presents the Beatitudes from Matthew (5:1-12a), the opening of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus ascends the mountain like a new Moses to teach the crowds and disciples. He declares blessed (makarios—happy, fortunate in God's eyes) the poor in spirit, the meek, those who mourn, the merciful, the clean of heart, the peacemakers, and those persecuted for righteousness' sake. The Kingdom belongs to them.

These readings weave together a profound message: God's Kingdom inverts human expectations. The world prizes strength, wealth, status, and self-sufficiency, but God exalts humility, dependence on Him, mercy, and endurance in suffering for justice. The "poor in spirit" are those who recognize their spiritual poverty and rely entirely on God's grace. The meek are not passive but those who submit to God's will without resentment. The persecuted are blessed because they share in Christ's own path.

In our time, this challenges us deeply. Society often measures success by likes, followers, achievements, or material security—echoing the "wise" and "powerful" Paul dismisses. Yet Jesus proclaims that true blessedness lies in poverty of spirit, mourning over sin and injustice, hungering for righteousness, showing mercy even when it costs us, and pursuing peace amid division. These are not weaknesses but the marks of those who belong to God's remnant.

As Catholics, we are called to embody this in daily life: to seek justice humbly, to defend the vulnerable (the oppressed, strangers, widows, orphans of our day), to let go of pride, and to find our identity not in worldly acclaim but in Christ crucified. Paul reminds us that Christ Jesus "became for us wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption." Our only boast is in Him.

Let us reflect: Where do I seek security—in my own abilities or in humble trust in God? Am I willing to be "poor in spirit," acknowledging my need for Him? Do I practice mercy and peacemaking, even toward those who oppose me?

May the Lord grant us the grace to live these Beatitudes, becoming part of that humble, lowly people who take refuge in His name. In doing so, we will experience the true happiness of the Kingdom—here and hereafter. Amen.

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time - God the Planter

 We are now back in the season of Ordinary Time. During this season, the Church focuses on the teachings of Christ and His everyday life. Today's readings reflect on the Kingdom of God using proverbial language and botany.

In the first reading, God describes how He uses the things that are low and raises them up to a prominent position.  He will "tear off a tender shoot, and plant it on a high and lofty mountain."  He will "bring low the high tree" and will "lift high the lowly tree." God is God, He can do this (Luke 1:37). I never get tired of stating that God always uses the impossible to do great things, often impossible. He chooses the weakest of men and women to humble the powerful (1 Corinthians 1:27).  From death on the cross, He brings life, redemption, and salvation (1 John 3:16, 1 Peter 2:24). Instead of using a majestic presence that will capture the minds of human beings to be with His Church, He chooses simple bread and wine (1 Corinthians 10:16, John 6:35, John 6:55). I can go on and on, but you get the point.

We human beings tend to think that success, power, money and the "big" things in life are what give us meaning, status and purpose.  This is not true. Think of how many celebrities and people in power possessing all kinds of material things end up empty inside. They resort to drug use, alcohol abuse, and even suicide. We saw this now with the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.  People lost their jobs and earnings.  The stress drove many to take their lives.  What happened??  They had it all, money, fame, girls or guys.  I will tell you what happened!  These people bought into the world's lie. The lie that echoed since Adam and Eve from the serpent telling them to take, eat and enjoy, that in doing so they will not die and will be like gods (Genesis 3:4-5).  Material things do not give us life.  Having the means to afford plastic cosmetic surgery, botox, and whatnot will not make us live forever.  We will not become like gods.  This is a lie from the father of lies (John 8:44).  To hell with that liar, literally! Only Christ gives life (John 14:6)!  We must be humble so that God can raise us up (1 Peter 5:6, James 4:10).  We must be poor so that we can be rich in God (Matthew 5:3). This is why the Pope is calling the Church to be the "Church of the poor."  The poor have nothing, yet they have a lot.  It is one of the biggest paradoxes and mysteries that outdoes any physics differential equation that attempts to describe dark matter or any other concept using derivatives. We must give thanks to God for all we have as the Psalm today states.

In the responsorial Psalm, we are reminded to give God thanks.  We must praise God's name and proclaim His kindness at dawn and throughout the day.  This is why the Church has the Liturgy of the Hours which every Catholic should pray. By living in God, being holy and humble, we will "flourish like the palm tree."  We then shall be "planted in the house of the Lord."  The house of the Lord is our true home (Philippians 3:20).  The second reading reminds us of this.

In the second reading, we read that "while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord." This does not mean that the body is evil or that we should desire death.  What this means is that we are meant for better things (Matthew 6:26, John 14:2). We are meant to have a body like that of the resurrected Jesus (Philippians 3:21, 1 Corinthians 15:53).  A body that does not get sick and cannot die.  A body that is pure and truly houses the Holy Spirit as His temple (1 Corinthians 6:19).  When we pass on to the Lord, we will be judged and will receive what we deserved based on our faith and works or lack thereof (Ephesians 6:8, Matthew 6:1).

The Gospel today tells of Christ comparing the kingdom of God to that of a mustard seed. He described this seed as the smallest on the earth.  Once it is planted, it grows becoming the largest tree. From it, the birds use it to nest and for shade. Jesus is using the imagery found in the first reading.

Atheists often bring up this Gospel passage in order to drum up charges against Christ claiming Him to be ignorant and disqualifying Him as God. You may ask, 'how so?' Well, they resort to the science of botany to make their claims.  Jesus says that the mustard seed is the smallest on earth and this is not so, scientifically speaking.  Did Jesus lie?  Did Jesus get His science wrong?  How can God - the Son of God - not know about His own creation?   Well, the response is simple.  Jesus was speaking proverbially.  Remember, He was making a comparison in regards to what the kingdom of God is like. In the region, there are several kinds of mustard seeds.  Among them are the Salvadora persica, Sinapis alba, the Sinapsis juncea, and the Brassica Nigra.  The Salvadora persica has small seeds which grow into a shrub.  Both the Sinapsis juncea and the Sinapis alba grow into small tree-like plants.

Therefore, the one that Jesus was referring to was the Brassica nigra. This seed is small and black, yet grows into a bushy tree over 10-15 feet tall.  Moreover, the crown of the Brassica Nigra tree or the bushy top part where the branches and leaves are is structured in a way that provides shade or a shadow which is how the first reading and the Gospel describe how birds or winged creatures will enjoy it. Jesus was not scientifically illiterate.  He used proverbial language with the available botanical elements in the area in order for the people to understand.

Let us be humble, plant our lives in God and allow Him to cultivate our lives so that we can grow into a "Brassica Nigra" and show the world what real "success is."  It is not in money, fame, or power, but in Christ Jesus.  May Jesus be praised!


Readings: Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB

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11th Sunday in Ordinary Time - God the Botanist

We are now back in the season of Ordinary Time. During this season, the Church focuses on the teachings of Christ and His everyday life. Today's readings reflect on the Kingdom of God using proverbial language and botany.

In the first reading, God describes how He uses the things that are low and raises them up to a prominent position.  He will "tear off a tender shoot, and plant it on a high and lofty mountain."  He will "bring low the high tree" and will "lift high the lowly tree." God is God, He can do this (Luke 1:37). I never get tired of stating that God always uses the impossible to do great things, often impossible. He chooses the weakest of men and women to humble the powerful (1 Corinthians 1:27).  From death on the cross, He brings life, redemption and salvation (1 John 3:16, 1 Peter 2:24). Instead of using a majestic presence that will capture the minds of human beings to be with His Church, He chooses simple bread and wine (1 Corinthians 10:16, John 6:35, John 6:55). I can go on and on, but you get the point.

We human beings tend to think that success, power, money and the "big" things in life are what give us meaning, status and purpose.  This is not true. Think of how many celebrities and people in power possessing all kinds of material things end up empty inside. They resort to drug use, alcohol abuse, and even suicide. What happened??  They had it all, money, fame, girls or guys.  I will tell you what happened!  These people bought into the world's lie. The lie that echoed since Adam and Eve from the serpent telling them to take, eat and enjoy, that in doing so they will not die and will be like gods (Genesis 3:4-5).  Material things do not give us life.  Having the means to afford plastic cosmetic surgery, botox and what not will not make us live forever.  We will not become like gods.  This is a lie from the father of lies (John 8:44).  To hell with that liar, literally! Only Christ gives life (John 14:6)!  We must be humble so that God can raise us up (1 Peter 5:6, James 4:10).  We must be poor so that we can be rich in God (Matthew 5:3). This is why the Pope is calling the Church to be the "Church of the poor."  The poor have nothing, yet they have a lot.  It is one of the biggest paradoxes and mysteries that outdoes any physics differential equation that attempts to describe dark matter or any other concept using derivatives. We must give thanks to God for all we have as the Psalm today states.

In the responsorial Psalm, we are reminded to give God thanks.  We must praise God's name and proclaim His kindness at dawn and throughout the day.  This is why the Church has the Liturgy of the Hours which every Catholic should pray. By living in God, being holy and humble, we will "flourish like the palm tree."  We then shall be "planted in the house of the Lord."  The house of the Lord is our true home (Philippians 3:20).  The second reading reminds us of this.

In the second reading, we read that "while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord." This does not mean that the body is evil or that we should desire death.  What this means is that we are meant for better things (Matthew 6:26, John 14:2). We are meant to have a body like that of the resurrected Jesus (Philippians 3:21, 1 Corinthians 15:53).  A body that does not get sick and cannot die.  A body that is pure and truly houses the Holy Spirit as His temple (1 Corinthians 6:19).  When we pass on to the Lord, we will be judged and will receive what we deserved based on our faith and works or lack thereof (Ephesians 6:8, Matthew 6:1).

The Gospel today tells of Christ comparing the kingdom of God to that of a mustard seed. He described this seed as the smallest on the earth.  Once it is planted, it grows becoming the largest tree. From it, the birds use it to nest and for shade. Jesus is using the imagery found in the first reading.

Atheists often bring up this Gospel passage in order to drum up charges against Christ claiming Him to be ignorant and disqualifying Him as God. You may ask, 'how so?' Well, they resort to the science of botany to make their claims.  Jesus says that the mustard seed is the smallest on earth and this is not so, scientifically speaking.  Did Jesus lie?  Did Jesus get His science wrong?  How can God - the Son of God - not know about His own creation?   Well, the response is simple.  Jesus was speaking proverbially.  Remember, He was making a comparison in regards to what the kingdom of God is like. In the region, there are several kinds of mustard seeds.  Among them are the Salvadora persica, Sinapis alba, the Sinapsis juncea and the Brassica Nigra.  The Salvadora persica has small seeds which grow into a shrub.  Both the Sinapsis juncea and the Sinapis alba grow into small tree-like plants.

Therefore, the one that Jesus was referring to was the Brassica nigra. This seed is small and black, yet grows into a bushy tree over 10-15 feet tall.  Moreover, the crown of the Brassica Nigra tree or the bushy top part where the branches and leaves are is structured in a way that provides shade or a shadow which is how the first reading and the Gospel describe how birds or winged creatures will enjoy it. Jesus was not scientifically illiterate.  He used proverbial language with the available botanical elements in the area in order for the people to understand.

Let us be humble, plant our lives in God and allow Him to cultivate our lives so that we can grow into a "Brassica Nigra" and show the world what real "success is."  It is not in money, fame or power, but in Christ Jesus.  May Jesus be praised!


Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/061415.cfm

*Please help me expand this evangelization work, donate at www.gofundme.com/sacerdotus