Daily Readings - Sun Jul 26 2020

⁵Then the Lord appeared to Solomon, through a dream in the night, saying, "Request whatever you wish, so that I may give it to you.⁶And Solomon said: "You have shown great mercy to your servant David, my father, because he walked in your sight in truth and justice, and with an upright heart before you. And you have kept your great mercy for him, and you have given him a son sitting upon his throne, just as it is this day⁷And now, O Lord God, you have caused your servant to reign in place of David, my father. But I am a small child, and I am ignorant of my entrance and departure⁸And your servant is in the midst of the people that you have chosen, an immense people, who are not able to be numbered or counted because of their multitude⁹Therefore, give to your servant a teachable heart, so that he may be able to judge your people, and to discern between good and evil. For who will be able to judge this people, your people, who are so many?¹⁰And the word was pleasing before the Lord, that Solomon had requested this kind of thing¹¹And the Lord said to Solomon: "Since you have requested this word, and you have not asked for many days or for wealth for yourself, nor for the lives of your enemies, but instead you have requested for yourself wisdom in order to discern judgment¹²behold, I have done for you according to your words, and I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so much so that there has been no one like you before you, nor anyone who will rise up after you

Romans

Chapter 8

²⁸And we know that, for those who love God, all things work together unto good, for those who, in accordance with his purpose, are called to be saints²⁹For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined, in conformity with the image of his Son, so that he might be the Firstborn among many brothers³⁰And those whom he predestined, he also called. And those whom he called, he also justified. And those whom he justified, he also glorified

Matthew

Chapter 13

⁴⁴The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man finds it, he hides it, and, because of his joy, he goes and sells everything that he has, and he buys that field⁴⁵Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking good pearls⁴⁶Having found one pearl of great value, he went away and sold all that he had, and he bought it⁴⁷Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net cast into the sea, which gathers together all kinds of fish⁴⁸When it has been filled, drawing it out and sitting beside the shore, they selected the good into vessels, but the bad they threw away

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of wisdom, God’s providence, and the kingdom of heaven. In the first reading, Solomon, newly anointed king, humbly asks God not for wealth, power, or vengeance, but for a “teachable heart” to judge God’s people wisely. This request pleases God, who grants Solomon not only wisdom but also the promise of blessings for his faithfulness. The second reading from Romans assures us that for those who love God, all things work together for good. Paul emphasizes the predestination and calling of the saints, reminding us that our lives are part of God’s larger plan. In the Gospel, Jesus uses parables to describe the kingdom of heaven as a hidden treasure, a pearl of great value, and a net that gathers all kinds of fish. These images suggest that the kingdom is worth sacrificing everything for and that it encompasses both the good and the bad, which will ultimately be separated. These readings are connected by the theme of discernment and trust in God’s plan. Solomon’s request for wisdom is a model of humility and trust in God’s guidance, while Paul’s words in Romans remind us that our lives are part of a divine plan that works for our good. The parables in Matthew call us to seek the kingdom of heaven with the same single-mindedness as the merchant seeking the pearl or the man finding the hidden treasure. Together, they encourage us to trust in God’s providence, seek wisdom, and prioritize the kingdom of heaven above all else. In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to reflect on our priorities and our trust in God. Do we, like Solomon, ask for wisdom to discern good from evil? Do we, like Paul, trust that even in difficult times, God is working for our good? Do we, like the characters in Jesus’ parables, value the kingdom of heaven enough to make sacrifices for it? Let us pray for the wisdom to see God’s hand in our lives and the courage to seek the kingdom of heaven with joy and determination. May we remember that true treasure lies not in earthly riches but in the eternal riches of God’s kingdom.