5. Id King Solomon
In today's first reading from 1 Kings, God says to the great King Solomon, "Ask something of me and I will give it to you." It could be argued that Solomon already had riches and did not need to ask for more. Yet he did not know how long he would live or whether his power would be sufficient to overcome all of the enemies of Israel and Judah. He could have asked for any worldly advantage. In spite of this, Solomon asked for wisdom.
When this passage is read in conjunction with today's Gospel, it becomes clear as to why the text from Kings was chosen as its prelude. Solomon's prayerful interchange with God prepares the hearts and minds of the praying assembly to grasp the message and the challenge of Jesus' teaching. In the twin parables of the treasure and the pearl, the Matthean Jesus is affirming the supreme value of the reign of God, and with each affirmation, all present are invited to ask themselves whether the message of the parables rings true for us. Is my desire for the reign of God so profound that I am willing to let go of everything else in order to know God's purpose for my life? Henri Nouwen described this desire as "God-given, without which our lives lose their vitality and our hearts grow cold" (Here and Now: Living in the Spirit, Crossroad Pub. Co., 1994).
