By Fr. Marcel Uzoigwe, CSSp.
(1Kigs.3:5,7-12, Ps.119, Rom.8:28:30 & Matt. 13:44-52)
Dear Friends in Christ,
Wisdom makes a lot of differences in life. Wisdom enable us, not just to have knowledge and right judgement, but also proper understanding and right application of reason in every situation. The ability to understand and allign our reasoning or knowledge to the will of God is all that is needed to discover and possess the treasures of the Kingdom. Consequently, James 1:5 advises that “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.“ The readings of today invite us to reflect on the need for wisdom and its appropriate application in life matters.
The first reading presents King Solomon’s request to God. After Solomon was made a king in succession of his father David, God appeared to him in a dream and urged him to ask for whatever he desires. Being mindful of his enormous responsibility as a king, to judge and rule over the people entrusted to his care, Solomon decided to ask God for a heart of Understanding and Discernment to enable him decipher what is good and what is evil in discharging his leadership duties. God was so pleased that, instead of asking for long life, wealth or the life of his enemies, Solomon requested for understanding and a discerning heart that he gave him a heart so wise and understanding that it can never be equaled by anyone.
There is something about this request of Solomon. He did not ask for something that is solely for his personal benefit. He asked for something that will benefit the people he governs. He treasured good leadership above personal wealth and selfish desires. He, therefore realized that he needed wisdom to achieve it. When the opportunity came, he went straight to ask for it. There are three important points to be noted in the comment preceding his request. First, he recognized that it was God who placed him on the King’s stool, and not out of his own individual qualification. Secondly, he quickly acknowledged that he was a little boy, lacking experience. But the task before him, i.e. leadership, was great. Thirdly, he noted that the people whom he was chosen to govern were God’s chosen people, great and numerous, thereby expressing the need for vigilance and care in discharging his duties.
This humble attitude displayed by Solomon on ascending the throne is an example to all, whether called to take up leadership responsibility or not. Solomom’s request was informed by his lofty sense of duty and responsibility based on his love and regard for God. He got his priorities right. His primary preocupation at this point was to execute his duties with utmost diligence to the satisfaction of all. The love of God that was examplified in the life of his father, David, was still very much in him. We know that when Solomon got old and his value system changed, he married several wives and was led away to worship foreing idols. This points tot he fact that people could sheaply give away what was treasurable to them, just the way Esau gave away his birthright for a pot of porridge (Genesis 25: 29-34).
The gospel presented this theme with the three parables of the kingdom of Heaven as treasure buried in the field, as a fine pearl found by a marchant, and as a net thrown into the sea that collected all kinds of fish. A very important fact in the three parables is the choice made by the actors – the one who found the hidden treasure went and sold everything he owed and bought the field; the marchant who found the fine pearl sold everything he had and bought the pearl; and the fisher took his time to select the good fish out of the bad. They all gave away their time and treasure to acquire the kingdom which is of a higher value. The persons who sold the field with the hidden treasure and the fine pearl may not have known what value they were giving away. They may have made wrong choices out of ignorance.
Our everyday life is filled with the issue of making choices. We choose the cloth to wear, which food to eat, who to call, which friend to make, where to go, what to buy, which television channel or program to watch, how much to spend for what, etc. We also choose how and when to do what, what to believe, who to marry, what job to apply for, and so on. We could choose to live in the service of God and humanity or to be selfish; to live according to the values of the kingdom of God or to live as if God does not exist. Every choice is governed by what value we attach to them, and every choice has its own consequences.
It is not always easy making choices, especially among two apparant good options. Yet we must always strive to make right choices. One way to evaluate the value that governs our choices and set them right is to check the thought of our heart, because every other thing flows from it (cf. Proverbs 4: 23). What we treasure occupies our mind and influences our choices. Consequently, Jesus said to the crowd during his teaching on the mount, “…store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:20-21). If we treasure who we are and the things we have – like the grace of being a Christian, our Christian community, the family we have, etc. and work to uphold them, they will determine the direction of our future choices, and be the source of our happiness.
Paul clearly expresses this thought in the second reading when he says, “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28). Hence, if we love God and seek to do his will; if we appreciate his invitation to serve him in the community we belong to, our daily choices would allign with that option. We would find ourselves desiring to grow in faith and service to God and humanity, and God would not hesitate to imbue us with his wisdom and graces.
Finding the treasure of the kingdom and giving everything away to possess it is what Jesus meant when he said, “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). The decisions of the person who found “treasure hidden in a field” the merchant who found “one pearl of great value” and those who put the good fish “into baskets but threw out the bad” were all motivated by wisdom and understanding. Without wisdom and understanding, it is difficult to appreciate the kingdom of God as a treasure of supreme value. That is why the world is filled with violence, crime and all sorts of evil because most people are busy seeking the kingdom of the world – material riches, power and fame. Paul’s missionary experience led him to conclude that preaching Christ crucified is a “stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corienthians 1: 23-24). The difference lies on one group relying solely on their own human reasoning and the other being guided by wisdom and understanding. Thus we need the wisdom that comes from above (cf. James 3:17) to guide us in our daily life choices.
The prayerful attitude of of the young King Solomon should guide us to ask for wisdom and understanding to always set our priorities right, give God the first place in our lives and allow His principles and values to determine our daily life decisions and choices. We could then appreciate the supreme value of the kingdom of God and be willing to forgo other distraction that seek to take out heart away from efforts to possess it.