The Kingdom of God Is Not a Myth: It Is Visible in Real Life!

Adeladius Makwega – Musoma, Mara, Tanzania

The reflection for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, as prepared by Fr. Bonaventura Maro, focuses on “The Cost and Value of the Kingdom of Heaven,” emphasizing the importance of placing spiritual priorities above worldly concerns. Through the story of King Solomon, it highlights the wisdom of choosing what is best before God. Solomon asked for wisdom instead of wealth or glory, recognizing that true leadership requires a listening heart capable of discerning good from evil. Therefore, believers are encouraged to examine their priorities in prayer and in life as a whole, seeking what leads to eternal life rather than temporary success.

Furthermore, this reflection explains the importance of being guided by God in daily life. It stresses that a receptive heart that follows God’s law enables a person to make the right decisions even in the midst of challenges. Through Solomon’s example, it becomes clear that true success comes from placing God first as the ultimate counselor. Believers are encouraged to maintain a life of prayer and gratitude, as a thankful heart helps one recognize the blessings already received instead of complaining or constantly desiring more.

In the Gospel, the parables of the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price, and the net teach that the Kingdom of God is a treasure of immense value that must be sought with total commitment. Those who recognize it must be ready to give up everything that stands in their way in order to obtain it. However, the Kingdom is open to all, but each person has the responsibility to make a personal choice and live righteously. Fr. Maro concludes his reflection by urging believers to continue learning and sharing the Gospel while seeking to know God more deeply so as to attain eternal life.

On his part, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, introduces this Sunday with these words:

“In today’s Gospel, Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a treasure hidden in a field, a merchant searching for fine pearls, and a net cast into the sea that gathers fish of every kind. This marks the conclusion of Jesus’ discourse in chapter 13 of the Gospel of Saint Matthew.

The Kingdom of God is as precious as a treasure and a fine pearl. To obtain it, one must be willing to give up or lose everything, just as the man in the parable did. He sold everything he had to buy the field where the treasure was hidden. Likewise, the merchant sold everything he had to buy the pearl of great price that he found.

The final parable reminds us of the one we heard last week: when the day of judgment comes, God will separate people like the fish that were collected—good and bad, the righteous and the unrighteous. Belonging to the Kingdom of God requires grace and the courage to choose what matters most.”

On this Sunday, Mwanakwetu attended Mass at St. Augustine Church, Mwisenge Parish, in the Catholic Diocese of Musoma.

On his way back home, he encountered three vivid real-life scenes:

First scenario:

An elderly woman who had difficulty walking was leaving the church, supported by a man whose appearance resembled hers, like siblings. She held a walking stick in her left hand. After stepping outside, she sat near the floor of a parish shop. Shortly afterward, a motorcycle arrived and carried her along with a young woman—likely her helper—back to their home.

Second scenario:

After walking for about five minutes, Mwanakwetu passed by a cattle shed where a woman was milking cows. There were about 60 cows and several people present. The woman reprimanded her daughter, saying:

“When we come to the cowshed, we don’t come to play. Everyone has responsibilities. I milk the cows, you clean the shed, another feeds the cows, and the one responsible for herding takes them out after we finish the initial tasks. So I insist that everyone must fulfill their duties for things to go well. In my home, I don’t want any nonsense. If you want to joke around, do it in your own homes—this is my home.”

Third scenario:

Continuing his journey, Mwanakwetu met two women in conversation. One said:

“Her boss was given money yesterday, but he rejected it. He says these sales are not his usual daily earnings. He knows his shop makes 350,000 shillings a day. How is it that since he left, he is only being given 150,000?”

The other woman asked in a Kijita accent:

“Doesn’t that boss know that

sales can go down?”

The first replied:

“He knows sales can decrease, but maybe to around 310,000—not half of the daily income.”

Mwanakwetu passed them and eventually reached home, where he prepared this article.

How do these three scenarios relate to the readings of this Sunday?

These real-life scenes strongly reflect the teachings of the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, which emphasize the value of the Kingdom of God and the importance of setting the right priorities in life.

First scenario (the elderly woman from church):

This scene demonstrates the value of faith and devotion to God despite physical weakness. Although the woman struggles to walk, she still ensures that she attends church and participates in spiritual life. This reflects the Gospel message that the Kingdom of God is a treasure worth seeking with all one’s effort. It shows that even in difficult circumstances, one can choose to put God first, recognizing that spiritual matters are more valuable than physical comfort.

Second scenario (the woman managing responsibilities at the cowshed):

Here we see a lesson on responsibility and proper prioritization. The woman insists that everyone must fulfill their duties without negligence. This mirrors the Gospel teaching about total commitment in seeking the “pearl of great price,” the Kingdom of God. Just as the merchant was willing to give up everything to obtain the pearl, life also requires discipline, responsibility, and effort to achieve meaningful goals—especially spiritual ones.

Third scenario (conversation about business and honesty):

This scene highlights the challenge of justice and honesty in everyday life. The discrepancy in sales raises concerns about integrity, which relates to the parable of the net that gathers both good and bad fish. The Gospel reminds us that, in the end, there will be judgment where righteousness and wrongdoing will be separated. Therefore, this scenario teaches the importance of living with integrity, as belonging to the Kingdom of God requires choosing what is right and living justly every day.

Mwanakwetu, are you there? Remember:

“The Kingdom of God Is Not a Myth: It Is Visible in Real Life!”

Have a blessed day.

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