Daily Readings - Sun Jul 26 2020
1 Kings
5At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."6Solomon answered, "You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.7"Now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.8Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number.9So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"10The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.11So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice,12I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.
Romans
28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
Matthew
44"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.45"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.46When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.47"Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.48When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad 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.