Who are you? A reflection of 17th Sunday in Ordinary time of the year

There are hierarchies of good things. In life, there are many things we consider as good: gainful employment, life partner, children, financial breakthrough, fortunes of life, and so on. In all these, some are more important than others. Just like in life, we have many beautiful things, but none can be compared to God who […]

There are hierarchies of good things. In life, there are many things we consider as good: gainful employment, life partner, children, financial breakthrough, fortunes of life, and so on. In all these, some are more important than others. Just like in life, we have many beautiful things, but none can be compared to God who is the source of beautiful things. For philosophers, God cannot be said to be beautiful, otherwise the attributes of God is diminished, but God is beauty itself and remains the only source of all beautiful things.

Palestine was at a time familiar with battles. Many people used the earth as their bank, to safeguard their valuables. Thus, many valuables were buried under the earth. No wonder, the bible tells us about a servant who hid his master’s money in the ground instead of trading with it (cf. Mt.25:25).Thompson in the, ‘The Land and the Book’ tells us about treasures buried by government officials when the news of the death of Alexander the Great reached Sidon. Later, many who went to search for such treasures or sometimes accidentally, discovered many treasures ranging from copper pots filled with gold, silver metals and so on. Before the advent of banks in Africa, people still buried their valuables.

Therefore, Jesus used a familiar scene in the parable of today. It is interesting to look at the action of the man when he found the treasure. He went home, sold everything and bought the land. It is about choice. Placing everything he had as against the treasure. In the face of this treasure, all he had became meaningless. ‘Seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness and every other thing shall be added unto you’(Mt.6:33). Solomon had the option of asking for money, riches, authority and victory over enemies, but he asked for wisdom (I kg.3:5,7-21). Owing to this, God was very generous to Solomon.

Who are you?

A child of God is not defined by what he owns. Many define themselves by what they have, their bank statements, sometimes what people call pedigree. We are not what we have! This is the greatest sickness of Nigeria and I call it materialism.

A child of God is not defined by what he can do. Unfortunately many do, which enables them to look down on others who unfortunately cannot match their standard. We are not what we can do. I call this tendency Activism.

I am defined by what God says about me. “I am a child of God and this is what defines me.” This should be your definition. Whatever that happens around me is an addition to what I am; a child of God. I am fundamentally a child of God who maybe happens to be a rich man, or a child of God who happens to be poor, influential, powerful and so on. If I am not a child of God and unfortunately I become rich and powerful, everybody will be in trouble. I can as well be a rich or powerful devil.

If riches still define you, think about St. Elizabeth of Portugal who gave up all the riches and power as a Queen, in charge of a kingdom and became a nun. If you still define yourself by power, think about St. Aloysius Gonzaga, who resigned his noble birthright, willed everything to his brother and became completely detached for God. May the saints teach us the things that really matter, the Summum Bonnum (Highest good; God)

Rev. Fr. Charles Ndubuisi is National Youth Animator/Secretary, Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Youth Committee, Catholic Secretariat, Abuja