Getting Ready to Pray
Jesse’s son, David, was chosen from among his brothers by God directly to be the king and leader of Israel. When David is about to die, he chooses his son Solomon to be the next king. In the previous chapter there is a ritual passing over the power and God-given authority to govern Israel.
We need to see that Jesus is the new “treasure” buried in the field of humanity. Once we understand the value of the relationship which Jesus offers, we let go of all that gave us value before, and buys—now this is very important— buys the “field” with the “treasure” buried in it.
Some Thoughts
What we hear in today’s First Reading is one of those famous “biblical dreams.” God asks Solomon to request something for himself. He asks for the spirit or gift of discernment. He knows the vastness of God’s people and how is he to know what is right and just?
God not only grants what Solomon asks for, but more. He has not asked for selfish gifts of riches, a long life, nor the death of the enemies of Israel. So as a second gift God will give him these as well. More precious than these is the gift of a “wise heart” with understanding. There is also the promise that there will never be any other known to be wiser and discerning than Solomon.
This authority or wisdom is tested soon after the dream ends when the two women come with their problem about whose child is the one they are presenting. It is this story which creates the famous phrase, “Having the wisdom of Solomon.”
The wisdom of Jesus, which he is calling the “kingdom of heaven,” penetrates today’s Gospel. There are parables directed more to the scribes and Jewish leaders, who are becoming, or being tempted or invited, to become disciples of Jesus.
It is similar to a young man who wishes to marry his true love. She is found within her family of origin. He must buy into her family with all its earthliness. At least this, she will carry that family-earth into the marriage. So he buys the whole field, at least in the ideal.
The “Pearl of Great Price” parable advances the call a little farther. If one discovers Jesus as of ultimate value, then everything else upon which one relies for his/her value, and identity must be laid aside.
Those things and relationships do have value, but Jesus is to become ultimate and all else retains its value in and with and through him. It would be like the young man about to marry his love: his previous relationships remain important, but because of his love for his wife, he begins to share them.
Now, the “new,” which is Jesus, fulfills, highlights and continues the “old.” The goodness of God is everlasting and that goodness wants to be presented constantly and accepted freely.
O bless the Lord, my soul, and remember all his kindness.
Psalm 103:2
