“‘Ask something of me and I will give it to you.” Solomon answered: …’Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.’” (1 KGS 3: 5. 9)
God appreciated so much Solomon’s prayer: “Because you asked for this—you did not ask for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies—but you asked for discernment to know what is right—I now do as you request.” The Hebrew Bible uses here the expression: an “understanding heart,” which also means a “listening heart.” When I start my day with daily readings, with my “listening heart” I can distinguish “right from wrong” and I can listen to the others with compassion and love.
“Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; for you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Reform your ways and your deeds, so that I may remain with you in this place. Put not your trust in the deceitful words: ‘This is the temple of the LORD!The temple of the LORD! The temple of the LORD!’” (Jer 7: 3-4)
Our faith expresses itself through action, not an intention or emotion. It’s Jesus Christ who saves and not the buildings (even a most beautiful cathedral), Church membership or great retreats. When we reform our “ways and deeds,” He promised to remain with us.
“Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you, and is able to save your souls” (Gospel Acclamation)
“We hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.” (2 Cor 4: 7)
One of our famous Christmas carols presents this paradox: God—is born, the Powers—tremble, the Lord of Heaven—stripped, fire—solidifies, brightness—darkens and the infinite—has boundaries. God gave His “treasure in earthen vessels,” because He shows His power through simple things. Instead of the nobles, He chose fishermen, and a simple house in Nazareth instead of a royal palace. We were chosen by His love, not because we earned it.
“I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord” (Gospel Antiphon)
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you”… (Jer 1: 5)
I can read these words again and again. All God’s love expressed there helps me to understand my dignity, the reason/purpose for my life and His unconditional love for me. When I encounter difficulties with understanding myself, when I can’t understand my beloved ones and when I feel rejected I can come to God and listen to His words: His word heals.
“The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower; all who come to him will live for ever.” (Gospel Antiphon)
“You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins; You will show faithfulness to Jacob, and grace to Abraham, As you have sworn to our fathers from days of old.” (Micah 7: 19-20)
“You will cast,” “you will show,” “you have” make a difference in our life so often based on “I will,” “I have,” “I need”… Our Lord’s attention focused on us brings us all His blessing, compassion, grace and faithfulness. Our life based on Him impels us to live for others.
“The love of Christ impels us, so that those who live may live no longer for themselves, but for him who died for them and was raised.” (Communion Antiphon)
“With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow before God most high?… You have been told, O man, what is good, and what the LORD requires of you: Only to do the right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6: 6.8)
Three different requirements cover all our activities and attitudes: if you do something—do it right, your relationships should be based on goodness (Micah “chsd” has several meanings: goodness, kindness and even mercy) and wherever you go – walk with God. Humbly.
“Amen, I say to you: That you who have left all and followed me will receive a hundredfold and posses eternal life.” (Communion Antiphon)
“And in his name the Gentiles will hope.” (Mt 12: 21)
Sometimes we forget how strong His name is: it can fill us with courage, hope and love. How often have I met dying people whose only relief was repeating His name over and over again.
“He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” (Communion Antiphon)
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28).
God never gets bored with telling us how important we are for Him. His invitation and care for us bring a huge relief to us whenever we experience fatigue and being burdened. “Come to me” solves everything.
“The sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for her young: by your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are they who dwell in your house, for ever singing your praise”. (Communion Antiphon)
“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike” (Mt 11:25).
As ‘time management,’ also ‘human resources management’ is different in God’s world. Not the wise, not the learned, but the childlike are important. Little ones know the difference between God and themselves. Respecting God doesn’t limit our own dignity.
“Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary, which bore the Son of the eternal Father” (Communion Antiphon).
“But within sixty years and five, Ephraim shall be crushed, no longer a nation” (Is 7:9).
Our perspective for time and God’s perspective are different. God can patiently wait long enough for our conversion; when we wait for something, we expect it to happen immediately. Everyday readings give us an excellent opportunity to hear Our Lord’s voice and to change our expectations.
“I will look after my sheep, says the Lord, and I will appoint a shepherd to pasture them, and I, the Lord, will be their God” (Entrance Antiphon).
