Call to worship
Today, Jesus speaks about a searcher, a merchant and a fisherman. In each parable, a treasure is discovered that was waiting all along. God’s treasures also wait for us if we are willing to search the big storehouse of our faith, embrace new values, seek wisdom and discover the Kingdom of God with an understanding heart.
- To the point: “The kingdom of heaven is like … ” In these parables, what motivates the actions of the person, merchant and fishermen is that they have already come upon the extreme good that they seek: the treasure in the field, the pearl of great price, the catch of fish. So it is with us. We have already come upon the extreme good that we spend our lives seeking: the kingdom of heaven. The challenge is to give our all to attain it.
- Connecting the Gospel (Matthew 13: 44-52) to the first reading: The wisdom that Solomon requested and for which he is famous is one of the most valued virtues of the Old Testament tradition. Like Solomon, we must ask for wisdom so that we can recognize the great treasure of the kingdom of God when it appears.
- Connecting the Gospel to experience: People spend hundreds taking a chance on a mega lottery, though the odds are many millions to one. On the contrary, there is no chance involved in our spending our lives to receive the extreme good God offers us. We have already been given the greatest prize possible: the kingdom of heaven.
Centering prayers
The Gospel
(Matthew 13:44-52)
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field.”
Lord What is the pearl of great price?
A Mercedes, a portfolio, oil wells,
honor and praise and awards,
kingship over everything we survey?
Or could it be no walls: all peoples brothers and sisters,
clean air, water and food for everyone?
Neighbor serving neighbor?
Dinner with friends? A kind word?
Finding you in all things?
Give us wisdom to know real treasure.
The First Reading
(1 Kings 3:5, 7-12)
“Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart.”
Solomon asked you, not for a long life for himself,
nor for riches, nor for the life of his enemies,
but for understanding, to know what was right.
O God, give us this day, the understanding
we need to see all the wrongs around us
and give us the will and the courage to address them.
Show us the wealth of an understanding heart.
The Second Reading
(Romans 8:28-30)
“All things work for good for those who love God”.
Fond Father, in everything we try to do,
in every way we turn: up, down, all around,
it all works together for us when we love you.
There is no place where there is no grace.
Copyright © 2020, Anne M. Osdieck
Music for reflection