July 26, 2020 - 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
(1 Kgs 3:5,7-12; Rom 8:28-30; Mt 13:44-52)
If you could have anything at all that you wanted what would it be? Good health? Money? Friends? Influence? A long and peaceful life? When God gave Solomon this very choice he chose none of these things. He asked for an understanding heart to know what is right and what is wrong. This is surprising. Most people, and especially kings, think they already know what is right and what is wrong. Why throw away his wish on something he already has? In asking for wisdom, Solomon shows he is humble enough to recognize that God is the ultimate source of this blessing. It does not come solely from his own personal efforts. This of course pleases God who grants his wish and more besides. Despite this fine beginning, we must remember that later in life, Solomon had many foreign wives who turned his head to worship foreign gods, for which his line was punished. We must remain vigilant over our hearts all our life.
In Paul's letter to Romans we see another example of blessings that flow from having our heart in the right place. “All things work for good for those who love God.” This can be hard to believe in the face of worldly suffering endured by both good and bad alike. Looking at the persecutions endured by Christians in the first three centuries it is hard to see how all things worked together for good for them. But despite their persecution, they possessed a joy that was more valuable than any worldly pleasure. Even the apparent misfortunes of life, like a cancer diagnosis or the loss of a job, somehow work out for the good of our eternal joy. The knowledge of that future joy gives us reason for joy right now.