“The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, ‘Ask something of me and I will
give it to you.’ Solomon answered: ‘O
Lord, my God, you have made me, you servant, king to succeed my father David;
but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act. I serve you in the midst of the people whom
you have chosen, a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant, therefore, an
understanding heart to judge you people and to distinguish right from
wrong. For who is able to govern this
vast people of yours?’
“The Lord was pleased that Solomon made this request. So God said to him: ‘Because you have asked
for this – not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, not for the life
of your enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right – I
do as you requested. I give you a heart
so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and
after you there will come no one to equal you.’”
Second reading: Rom. 8: 28-30
“Brothers and sisters: We know that all things work for good
for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be
conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many
brothers and sisters. And those he
predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he
justified he also glorified.”
Gospel reading: Mt. 13: 44-52
“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like
a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of
joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a
merchant searching for fine pearls. When
he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys
it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like
a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full they haul it ashore and sit
down to put what is good into buckets.
What is bad they throw away. Thus
it will be at the end of the age. The
angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them
into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.
“’Do you understand all these things?’ They answered, ‘Yes.’ And he replied, ‘Then every scribe who has
been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who
brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.’”
Introductory theme summary:
The common theme from today’s readings is the distinction given
to those who respond to God’s call of serving his kingdom, rather than seeking
the purpose of satisfying their own personal fulfillment in life.
Reflection:
In the first reading we have the highest example of
disregarding what one might want for one’s self in preference of serving God’s
purpose in King Solomon, and the exalted manner in which God rewarded such
selfless service of others. We who
sacrifice self-interest for the greater good of others can embrace for
ourselves the same fondness in God’s heart that Solomon enjoyed, because this
is the likeness of God who is WHOLEY OTHER.
In the second reading we are given to understand that we who
do respond to this call of self-sacrifice for the purpose of serving God’s
kingdom were actually foreknown, and as such will enjoy a special distinction
of association to the Lord himself.
Finally, in the gospel we have an alarming warning
concerning the end of the age. At some
point in time there will occur an event that will separate the bad from the
good, and that measure of division is in fact the willingness and ability to
sacrifice self for others in service of God’s will for a greater good. It is a very simple distinction that wastes
no time identifying each individual’s true self.
Should this event occur sometime soon …where would you
stand? Are your self-interests too important
for you to sacrifice; or do you love your neighbor enough to sacrifice your
self-serving interests for the benefit of others?
Come! Listen… and
hear his call. 
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