Greetings on this the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12; Psalm 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130; Romans 8:28-30; Matthew 13:44-52
Summary
The reflections these past days often start and end with a question. The titles of these reflections were:
- What do you wish?
- Why?
- What do you want to say?
- Who Are You Today?
Today our gospel ends with a question: Do you understand all these things?
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:… Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong. For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?
Solomon answered the Lord’s question with a question.
The perfect dialog. A dialog of understanding. A dialog of earnest communication. The Divine understanding a man. A man understanding the Divine.
Reflection
In our gospel portion today, Jesus is preparing the disciples to continue the quest of Solomon on the broadest possible scale – the human family.
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.
So God said to him:
“Because you have asked for this—… 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.
This wisdom is fulfilled perfectly in Jesus and entrusted through his disciples to the Church.
The journey turns next week toward deeper understanding, deeper mission, and deeper commitment—the offering of the very self.
Personal Reflection
So today I invite you to enter into the journey anew.
Do you want to understand? Yes, Lord, I do.
What do you wish? – To love and serve you.
Why? – Because you have the words of everlasting life.
What do you want to say? – Be my Shepherd.
Who Are You Today? – Let your seed grow in me.
It’s a dialog.
Yes. The answer brings us back to today’s Gospel. To understand the Kingdom is not merely to comprehend Jesus’ parables, but to allow them to question and reorder the whole self.
- a treasure buried in a field – ready for you to take ownership.
- a pearl of great price – ready for you to possess it and be possessed by it.
- a net thrown into the sea -give me wisdom to distinguish what leads to life from what draws me away from you.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072626.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry