First Reading: 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12
Reflection:
If you were given the opportunity to ask something of God with the assurance He would give it to you, what would you ask for? Many of us would probably ask for something involving material possessions, success, fame, health, or something else we would want for our own gain. King Solomon had that opportunity and, to his credit, did not ask for riches, any other material possessions, or something else strictly selfishly driven. Rather, he asked for wisdom in order to lead the people of Israel well as their king. In other words, he asked for something that would allow him to better help those under his care. This must have taken great humility and selflessness on his part. Solomon felt overwhelmed at the task he was given to be king of Israel. Rightly, he knew he needed to rely on God for help. The Lord answered his request and made him the wisest man who would ever live. Ultimately, God gave Solomon exactly what he needed, not just what he wanted. As we’ll see in the second reading, God wants what is best for those who love Him. He is not in the business of handing out anything we want, but He is in the business of providing just what we need.
Second Reading: Romans 8:28-30
Reflection:
This beautiful passage from the Apostle Paul provides great reassurance: God works for the good of those who love Him. He is not trying to make our lives difficult or cause us pain. Rather, like a good father, God wants what is best for His children. He brings about good in our lives “according to his purpose.” God’s will is always best. Even if we can’t see it at the time, what He has planned for us is what is best for our lives. Our part, then, is to listen, follow, and love. If we love God, we have the assurance that God is working for our good. For God knows all things, He can do all things, and He is all good. God chooses to call people out of their sinfulness and to justify them (i.e. reconciling their relationship with Him through forgiveness of sins). In calling people to Himself, and reconciling their broken relationship with Him caused by sin, He ultimately leads people to be “glorified,” meaning He calls them to be with Him in heaven. What better “good” could there be than that? God wants what is best for us, and ultimately He wants heaven for us because spending all eternity with Him is the ultimate good. Will you let Him lead you there, even in the midst of the trials of this life?
Gospel Reading: Matthew 13:44-52
Reflection:
In this Sunday’s Gospel, we hear a continuation from the last two weeks of Jesus teaching in parables. Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a treasure found in a field and a pearl of great price. He thus illustrates the priceless value of the kingdom of heaven. There are unimaginable riches to be found in God’s kingdom (not material ones, but spiritual ones). Yet, the riches of the kingdom are not revealed to all. They must be discovered. When found, the riches of the kingdom reorient our lives. Those in the parables who found the treasure in the field and the pearl of great price sold everything to obtain what they had found. In a similar sense, when we discover the richness of God’s kingdom, it transforms our lives, causing us to realize that nothing else compares to having that treasure. The kingdom of heaven is so great a discovery that we become willing to give up everything else to obtain it. In fact, in life, nothing matters more than obtaining the kingdom of heaven. As the poet Leon Bloy famously said, “The only real sadness, the only real failure, the only great tragedy in life, is not to become a saint.” We can’t take our material possessions with us when we die, but we can spend all of eternity with God in heaven. Thus, preparing for heaven is what life is all about, and to prepare we need to detach ourselves from the things of this world. That doesn’t mean you need to sell all your possessions in order to get to heaven. But it should make us ask ourselves, what is more important to me: my possessions, success, health, or the kingdom of heaven? Let us, therefore, center our lives on the kingdom of heaven, recognizing and embracing it as the treasure and pearl of great price it truly is.
Application:
- What is most important to you in life? Try to list the top five priorities in your life. Where does your faith fall? Is the “kingdom of heaven” most important to you? Does your life reflect becoming a saint as your top priority? What gets in the way of your relationship with God being central to your life (e.g. money, success, your career, hobbies, etc.). Ask God to help you make your relationship with Him the highest priority of your life. Then, take time to reflect on what you need to give up or let go of in order to make room for God to be more central in your life. Re-prioritize and rearrange accordingly.
