Lectionary Notes July 24th

Sorry it’s a bit late – it’s been a hell of a week…

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time: July 17, 2011

Reading 1: 1 Kgs 3:5, 7-12

Scripture:

The LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.” Solomon answered:

“O LORD, my God, you have made me, your servant, king to succeed my father David; but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act.  I serve you in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted.  Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.  For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?”

The LORD was pleased that Solomon made this request.  So God said to him:

“Because you have asked for this— not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right— I do as you requested. I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you.”

Suggested Questions:

• Who was Solomon?
• What does God tell Solomon to do?
• What does Solomon ask for? What would you have asked for?
• Why is Solomon’s reason for asking for wisdom?
• How does God respond? Why do you think God responds in this way?
• What lesson does this have to teach us in our own petitions to God?
• Have you read any of the Bible’s wisdom literature? Maybe read a proverb or two each day?

Introduction:

King Solomon was the son of King David and Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah.  He was the builder of the great Temple in Jerusalem and he is associated with several books of the Bible such as Proverbs and Song of Songs.

This passage begins just after Solomon has offered a thousand burnt offerings to the Lord. God then comes to him in a dream and tells to ask for anything. Solomon chooses wisdom above all else, something for which Solomon would later be renowned. 

In this encounter, we see how knowledge of God, His word and His heavenly wisdom is greater than all the material things of this world. This theme will be picked up again in the Gospel reading concerning God’s Kingdom.

After this passage we are told that God chooses to bless Solomon with what he didn’t ask for – riches and honour (verse 13). Unfortunately, Solomon eventually falls from grace, a sober warning that we must depend upon the Lord to the end, regardless of the gifts He has given us.

Commentary:

“The LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night…”

God often spoke to people in the Old Testament through dreams. He also did this in the New Testament with St. Joseph and St. Paul.

“Ask something of me and I will give it to you”

What would you ask for? Take some time to honestly consider this question.

I’m reminded of other moments when this kind of question is asked: Elijah asks Elisha (2 Kings 2:9), the disciples of John come to Jesus (John 1:38), Jesus asks the people he heals (Mark 10:51). They all give answers somewhat similar to Solomon. It is even said that St. Thomas Aquinas was asked what he wanted from God. His answer? “Nil nisi te…Nothing but Yourself”

“…me, your servant…”

Solomon approaches God with humility. Even though he is a king, he is still a servant of God.

“…king to succeed my father David”

Solomon’s father was King David who, when he was just a shepherd boy, killed Goliath. He had a big pair of shoes to fill…

“I am a mere youth…”

Solomon would have only been about twenty when he ascended to the throne of Israel. I’m reminded here of Aslan in “Prince Caspian” when Aslan asks the boy if he is ready to become King and, when he says he doesn’t think so, Aslan says that this is the very reason why he is ready.

Consider the never ending series of teenage pop sensations who come into wealth and fame at an early age. In lacking wisdom, how often does it end well?

“…not knowing at all how to act”

Solomon is aware that he lacks wisdom and so asks God for it.  “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God…and it will be given to you” – James 1:5

“I serve you in the midst of the people…”

More humility. Solomon realises that, in being King, he is not simply serving his own interests, but serving God from within the midst of Israel.

“…a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted”

This points to God’s promise that Abraham’s descendants would be countless. In saying this, Solomon is affirming that the Lord is true and faithful. Of course, God’s promise to Abraham finds its full and true fulfillment in Christ and His Bride, the Church, whereby we are made Abraham’s sons by faith.

“Give your servant…”

Again, Solomon identifies himself as a servant, indicating his clear understanding of his relationship to God.

“…therefore…”

Whenever you see a “therefore”, you have to ask “what’s it there for?” 😉 Looking earlier, we can see that Solomon is asking for this gift of wisdom because of the size of God’s nation. The task is immense and beyond Solomon’s own natural abilities. He therefore asks for supernatural help.

“…an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong”

Solomon asks for the gift of wisdom and discernment. This wisdom is heavenly wisdom, the ability to see things through the eyes of the Kingdom. St. Thomas Acquinas described wisdom as seeing things from the perspective of God.

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” – James 3:17

It’s probably also worth mentioning here that the word “judge” is used here. Maybe it’s not the dirty word it is so often made out to be…

It’s also rather funny that, in asking for heavenly wisdom, as opposed to earthly comfort, Solomon is actually demonstrating heavenly wisdom…

“For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?”

Who indeed?! Only someone guided by God and His wisdom…

“Because you have…[not asked] for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies…”

These would have been all the sorts of things one might expect a near-eastern king (or indeed ourselves) to ask for.  We find out in the text following this package that God actually gives these things to Solomon anyway.

It is worth emphasizing that worldly goods are not bad….in their proper place.

The difference is that, since God gives Solomon wisdom, he now knows how to properly manage these things. If you give a fool riches, chances are that he won’t remain rich for long. If a fool is given a long life it is most likely to be squandered. If a fool is given victory over his enemies he will most likely abuse this power. Not so with the wise man.

“Because you have asked for this— not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right— I do as you requested”

It’s interesting to see how this sentence is constructed. It almost seems to imply that Solomon gets what he asks for because he asks for the right thing…

“I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you”

Until, of course, another certain son of David (Jesus) comes along…

Responsorial Psalm: 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130

Scripture:

R. Lord, I love your commands.

I have said, O LORD, that my part
is to keep your words.
The law of your mouth is to me more precious
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Let your kindness comfort me
according to your promise to your servants.
Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight.

For I love your command
more than gold, however fine.
For in all your precepts I go forward;
every false way I hate.

Wonderful are your decrees;
therefore I observe them.
The revelation of your words sheds light,
giving understanding to the simple.

Suggested Questions:

• How does this relate to the First Reading (and Gospel)?

Introduction:

This is a small extract from the longest of the psalms, Psalm 119. You could describe this psalm as a devotional to the word of God. It is in the form of an acrostic (each section beginning with the letter of the alphabet). The author is an extremely pious Israelite, probably writing some time after the exile. The emphasis is on the precious nature of God’s revelation to mankind – His “promises”, His “law”, His “command”, His “decrees”, His “words”…

Commentary:

“The law of your mouth is to me more precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces”

…as Solomon himself demonstrated…

“…for your law is my delight”

The law, God’s revelation of Himself to his people, isn’t seen as a burden, but a joy because it reveals who God is and the way of right relationship with Him.

“For in all your precepts I go forward; every false way I hate”

God’s teaching gives light to the path ahead, discernment.

Reading II: Rom 8:28-30

Scripture:

Brothers and sisters: We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified.

Suggested Questions:

• What reassurance does Paul give his readers with regards to God’s providence? Why are we to trust Him?
• What is the sequence Paul describes for those whom God will ultimately glorify?

Introduction:

This passage emphasizes that ultimately God is in charge of things, even when things do not seem to be under control. Remember last week’s reading about the whole world groaning in labour pains?

Commentary:

“We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose”

God is guiding history for His purposes and plans, and we know that God is good.

“…predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…”

Those who are “predestined” receive divine adoption. The concepts of predestination and free will are, without a doubt, unfathomable mysteries, so if the discussion gets onto predestination/free will, good luck!

The end goal for every Christian is to be another Christ. I think you could say that this is the “good” that Paul talks about in the beginning of the passage – the “good” is anything which conforms us to Christ. The experience of this may not always be pleasant…

“…that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters”

Jesus is the firstborn from the grave. In His rising from the dead He gives hope to a fallen humanity, raising humanity to life again, and with it, “many” people. In being “firstborn” (prototokos), Jesus is our eldest brother and our perfect example of Sonship, which we are called to imitate.

“predestined…justified…glorified”

The sequence through which the “elect” pass. The emphasis here is on God’s work within the believer.

Gospel: Mt 13:44-52 or 13:44-46

Scripture:

Jesus said to his disciples:

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it. 

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind.  When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets.  What is bad they throw away.  Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.

“Do you understand all these things?” 

They answered, “Yes.” And he replied, “Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.”

Suggested Questions:

• What is the meaning of the parable of the hidden treasure?
• What is the meaning of the parable of the pearl?
• In light of the first two parables, how should we be seeking the Kingdom?
• What is the meaning of the parable of the dragnet? How does this relate to last week’s Gospel reading?
• What would you be willing to sacrifice for the Kingdom? What treasure would you be willing to give up in order to obtain it? What is God’s Kingdom worth?
• What does Jesus mean when he talks about the “scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven”?

Introduction:

Continuing on from last week, Jesus is still speaking in parables… He now describes the Kingdom in three new ways: hidden treasure, a pearl of great value and a dragnet.

***

The Kingdom is a hidden treasure in that, in comparison to all our worldly goods, it has infinitely greater worth. It does also suggest that, in order to embrace the Kingdom we may be called to forsake worldly goods. Religious (monks & nuns) do this in an extreme sense, but all Christians are called to embrace the Evangelical Counsel of poverty. At the very least, we are called to embrace spiritual poverty, as well as recongise what is of true and greater worth.

Allegorically, St. Ireneaus said that one could see the treasure hidden in the field as Jesus Himself, hidden in the Old Testament. He is only revealed in the light of His Passion and Resurrection. I quite like this interpretation as it connects to to what Jesus says at the end of this reading about “scribes”.

***

In a similar way, the pearl of great price puts to shame all other pearls owned by the man in the parable. He therefore *joyfully* sells all he has in order to possess it. The Kingdom is worth more than anything we possess. As in the previous parable, we can even say that Jesus *Himself* is this great prize.

The only difference between these two parables is the manner in which the person finds the item of great value. The pearl merchant is out searching, but the man in the field simply stumbles across the treasure – one might say that he doesn’t “deserve” to find it. This speaks of God’s grace and could be seen as describing the differing ways in which people encounter Jesus and His Kingdom. 

***

The parable of the dragnet is very similar to last week’s reading about the parable of the wheat and the tares. A common fishing practice back then was to tie a large net between two boats and drag it through the water. It would pick up lots of fish, but also lots of garbage as well. Like the wheat and the tares, it shows that, for a time, good and bad will dwell side-by-side. However, there will come a time when each will be separated and put in their proper place.

Commentary:

“…treasure buried in a field…”

Not unusual in the ancient world, due to the lack of banks.

“…sells all that he has…”

This is a common refrain in this passage. It suggests a decision to choose the Kingdom over and above everything else this world has to offer.

“Concupiscence”, a result of the fall, so often means that we choose (in the words of St. Thomas Aquinas), the “lesser good”. So often this means putting the created things of this world ahead of the Creator Himself.

“…which collects fish of every kind”

The dragnet is indiscriminate with regards to which fish it picks up. This may not just point to both good and bad fish which will later be sorted out, but it may also point to the different varieties of good fish. Perhaps this refers to both the Gentile and Jewish “fish” which will ultimately be drawn into the Kingdom.

Even today, you have to admit, we have some pretty odd fish in the Church! 😉

“Thus it will be at the end of the age…”

At the final judgement, when *God* will do the separating and judging (not us).

“Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.”

The “scribe[s]” here are the people hearing Jesus’ words as He “instruct[s] them in the kingdom of heaven”. The Apostles, uneducated in the eyes of the world though they are, will become the teachers of the New Covenant. Jesus is giving them what they will need to supply the needs of the world. In this sense, they are each like a “storeroom”.

The much-needed supplies the Apostles will bring will be the word of God. The Apostles’ teaching will be drawn from both the “old” and the “new” Covenants. This nicely dovetails with Ireneaus’ view that the hidden treasure referred to earlier is Christ in the Old Testament.