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Reflection on this Sunday's scripture readings
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1 Kings 3:5.7-12
Psalm 118
Romans 8:28-30
Matthew 13:44-52
In today's readings we are invited to focus on what is important in our lives. In the first reading Solomon asks God, who appears to him in a dream, for an understanding heart and the gift of discerning between good and evil. Solomon was a king, the son of the great King David. Solomon here points to his father's fidelity to God and his inadequacy to succeed him. God praises Solomon for not asking for long life, riches or domination over others and grants him discerning judgment and a wise and shrewd heart. The psalm speaks of the value of obeying God through his law. It is worth more than silver or gold.
In the Gospel reading Matthew continues his sequence of parables about the kingdom of heaven. Jesus likens the kingdom to a "treasure" to "fine pearls" and a "dragnet with a haul of all kinds". Jesus is teaching here that the kingdom is priceless, indeed so precious that a person would sell all to own it. It is also full of different kinds of people - the holy and the sinner. Parables are stories which need interpreting and this section ends with Jesus telling the disciples that both old and new interpretations are always needed.
In the spirit of Solomon ask God for what you are searching for. Pray the psalm slowly and prayerfully.
When you have read the gospel parables again ask yourself what you understand by "the kingdom of heaven"? Where is your treasure or fine pearls? The kingdom of heaven is not perhaps what we are expecting, but If we try to search for God through living close to him we will find treasure more precious than any riches.