What will I Ask from the Lord

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

17^th Sunday of the Year

Gospel – Matthew 13:44-52

 What will I Ask from the Lord

 “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.” 1 Kgs 3:5,

 1) What do I ask from the Lord during my prayer

 Every day we pray. During prayer one of the things that we do is "Asking lots of favour from the Lord 

 If we reflect about our prayers and the content of our asking from the Lord, most of the time, may be  the following things are seen. For example 

 These days most of us ask for good health from the Lord 

 Some of us ask a bright and better future to ur children

 Some of us, protection from all harm and snares of the devil 

 Some of us may ask a peaceful living, to have a good family 

 Some of us may ask the Lord, other people to help us 

 Some people may  ask for power, authority, position, wealth, riches, beauty, status, name and fame 

 These are some of the examples of our Asking from the Lord 

 2) What Solomon asked from the Lord?

 Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.

 He asked for a heart which can know what is good and what is evil 

 In simple words he asked for a wisdom from the Lord 

 In this context The Lord, Since Solomon had not asked for Long life, riches and life of the enemies, God was pleased with his request and He was given a Heart/ mind which was able to distinguish good and evil at any time 

 About Solomon the Lord says "there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you.”

 3) Why Wisdom is necessary

 In today’s context it is very difficult to distinguish what is good and what is evil 

 The evil is projected as good in a most creative way and the Good is not highlighted 

 When the evil is hailed as good, only a real wisdom will make us to know what is good. Or else we will be fooled in every way and the enemy will take the control of our life 

 4) Wisdom for Hidden treasure

 Jesus speaks about the hidden treasure and He compares it to the Kingdom of God 

 To find out this hidden treasure, to know the value of the hidden treasure, and to posses this hidden treasure is possible only through the wisdom. Without wisdom we can do nothing 

 Jesus also speaks about the priceless pearls. To know the value of these pearls and to understand its need in our life is possible only through the wisdom 

 5) What/Where is my real Treasure

For a Christian the real hidden treasure is fond in Jesus, in Eucharist, in Blessed Sacrament, and in various sacraments of the Church 

 In these hidden treasures we have priceless pearls like, Forgiveness, Love, mercy, Sharing, caring, reaching out one in need, healing, humility, sacrifice and other kingdom values

 Only a person with Wisdom will be able to understand the importance of The Hidden treasures and the need of these pearls in our lives  

6) Where is my Treasure?

Where do I look for the Hidden treasure? Is it in the worldly things or in Spiritual things 

Do I wish for Wisdom or only the Worldly Knowledge? 

Science is organized knowledge, wisdom is organized life. Immanuel Kant

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom Proverbs 9:10  

God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones.

Fr Maxim D’Souza

Jeppu Seminary

Mangalore