Reflection
In our first reading for Sunday (1 Kings 3:5, 7-12), God says to King Solomon, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.” And Solomon, already showing some understanding, asks for the wisdom to govern the people “and to distinguish right from wrong.” God is pleased with this request and gives to Solomon what he asks. Later on, we then read several instances when Solomon displays this wisdom.
But when we move further along in Solomon’s reign (1 Kings 11), we see that Solomon abandoned the wisdom God gave him. As it was with Solomon, so it is with us. God blesses us in many ways, but it is still our choice of what to do with the blessings God has given us.
In our Gospel reading (Matthew 13:44-52), Jesus tells two parables indicating where our choices should lead: the kingdom of heaven. The first parable describing the kingdom of heaven is about a man who discovers a buried treasure, hides it again in the field where he found it, and in joy sells all that he has in order to but that field. The second parable is similar. It is about a merchant seeking fine pearls. When he finds “a pearl of great price” he sells all that he has and buys it.
By the grace of God, we can “keep our eyes on the prize” of the kingdom of heaven and live in the righteousness of God by following Jesus in love. The choices we make day to day are to reflect the fundamental choice to follow Jesus.
Where do our priorities lie, and at what cost? Must we secure our borders at the cost of brutalizing others and trying to rob them of their dignity? Must we make profits at the cost of degrading the environment? Must we elevate ourselves by dehumanizing others? Must we remain comfortable at the cost of others not having the necessities of life? Must I hold on to my prejudice in order to justify my withholding of compassion and mercy? Even in the Church, we can feel the urge to protect the institution more than trying to make amends for the harm we have done.
We probably don’t think of our choices in such stark terms. But we may have to give more thought to some of the choices we make.
Look at those first two parables again. When the man with the treasure and the merchant with the pearl find those things of great value, they sell all that they have to obtain them. We are called to give of ourselves for the sake of the kingdom. We are called to help lift each other up, as we’ve been lifted up. We don’t adhere to the idea that if someone else receives justice that means we have lost something. Instead, we work for justice for all, and for a world in which no one lacks the necessities of life.
May we “keep our eyes on the prize” by trusting in God’s love and following Jesus.
