First reading 1 Kings 3:5,7-12
Solomon chooses the gift of wisdom
The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and said, ‘Ask what you would like me to give you.’ Solomon replied, ‘O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in succession to David my father. But I am a very young man, unskilled in leadership. Your servant finds himself in the midst of this people of yours that you have chosen, a people so many its number cannot be counted or reckoned. Give your servant a heart to understand how to discern between good and evil, for who could govern this people of yours that is so great?’ It pleased the Lord that Solomon should have asked for this. ‘Since you have asked for this’ the Lord said ‘and not asked for long life for yourself or riches or the lives of your enemies, but have asked for a discerning judgement for yourself, here and now I do what you ask. I give you a heart wise and shrewd as none before you has had and none will have after you.’
Responsorial Psalm 118(119):57,72,76-77,127-130
Lord, how I love your law!
My part, I have resolved, O Lord,
is to obey your word.
The law from your mouth means more to me
than silver and gold.
Let your love be ready to console me
by your promise to your servant.
Let your love come and I shall live
for your law is my delight.
That is why I love your commands
more than finest gold,
why I rule my life by your precepts,
and hate false ways.
Your will is wonderful indeed;
therefore I obey it.
The unfolding of your word gives light
and teaches the simple.
Second reading Romans 8:28-30
Those he called, he justified
We know that by turning everything to their good, God co-operates with all those who love him, with all those he has called according to his purpose. They are the ones he chose specially long ago and intended to become true images of his Son, so that his Son might be the eldest of many brothers. He called those he intended for this; those he called he justified, and with those he justified he shared his glory.
Gospel Matthew 13:44-52
He sells everything he owns and buys the field
Jesus said to the crowds, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes off happy, sells everything he owns and buys the field.
‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls; when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it.
‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea that brings in a haul of all kinds. When it is full, the fishermen haul it ashore; then, sitting down, they collect the good ones in a basket and throw away those that are no use. This is how it will be at the end of time: the angels will appear and separate the wicked from the just to throw them into the blazing furnace where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.
‘Have you understood all this?’ They said, ‘Yes.’ And he said to them, ‘Well then, every scribe who becomes a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out from his storeroom things both new and old.’
____________________________
To live for God
In the first reading, God asked King Solomon, “Ask what you would like me to give you”. King Solomon did not ask for material possession, success or good health. Instead, he desired a wise and understanding heart to serve God’s people better. He knew that He had to depend on God for the task he had been entrusted with. Today, what would we ask from God? Let us allow King Solomon’s simple desire to move us and to desire the same, i.e. an understanding heart, a listening heart that would hear what God wants from us. God continues to entrust us to be His living presence today. This task is huge, and we cannot do it by our will and strength but need to rely on Him daily.
In the gospel, Jesus calls us to place everything we consider as important in the service of the Kingdom of God. Like the two men who gave up all to have something greater, we also need to prioritise God and make Him the one shaping our values, guiding our choices and leading us to live a life of loving service.
Reflective question:
What would I ask from God?
What would I ask from God?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.
