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Readings for July 24,2011
First Reading - 1Kings 3:5,7-12
Second Reading - Romans 8:28-30
Gospel - Matthew 13:44-52
THE KINGDOM...OUR HEART'S DESIRE...
In the first reading, Solomon is looking for some help from God in order that he might be a good king. He knows full well that he has been given a great responsibility, one that God has specifically chosen him for. Solomon does not, however, ask for much more then wisdom. Wisdom to make the right decisions that would best serve and guide the people he has been given to rule. Solomon's desire is that he be given the good judgment needed to serve, nothing more, nothing less.
In the letter to the Romans, Paul says, "We know that all things work for good for those who love God..."
If we love God we trust that anything we ask of him will work out, in some fashion, but not always as we might imagine it would. Each of us, as Paul says, is called by God. We who he foreknew and called are also justified and glorified.
In the Gospel, Jesus again teaches us through parables. He likens the kingdom of heaven to a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds then hides again. The kingdom of heaven is also like a merchant searching for a fine pearl. Once he finds it, in order to buy it, he sells everything he has. Then Jesus likens the kingdom of heaven to a net thrown into the sea. It collects every kind of fish, is hauled back in, and the fish are separated into buckets, the good and the bad.
The buried treasure and the fine pearl suggest that the kingdom of heaven is present to us. However, only those who seek it out find it and once found they will do anything to keep hold of it.
The net that collects the fish which are then separated suggests, as we all know, that good and bad exist. We need to cast away the bad in order to find the kingdom.
What is your heart's desire? What is God asking you to do? What are you asking God for? I am not sure that I always know what God is asking of me. I also know that I am not always certain that I am asking God for the right things. It is a struggle. What is your heart's desire?
Our heart's desire was predestined for us by God. When he calls us to seek out the kingdom, we must take hold of it by living in service to him and to our neighbor. Like Solomon, we must ask for wisdom in order that we make the right choices. Our choice, in a world filled with good and bad, is to cast out the bad and to find the kingdom and to never let it go.
God of love, you call each of us to serve you for the good of the kingdom.
Help us to take hold of this treasure, this fine pearl, that we may serve you in all that we say and do.
This we pray, for the glory of your kingdom. Amen.
Jim Wojcik is the Senior Systems Administrator in the College Admissions Office at the University of Chicago. Jim serves Ascension on the Liturgy Committee, RCIA team, as the Environment and Art coordinator, and is a minister of communion and lector.
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