20-second Summary
King Solomon asked the Lord for an understanding heart, that he might govern his people wisely. When we pray, are we asking the Lord for understanding? Most of us want to understand the Lord, we certainly ask for Him to tell us what we want to know…but do we seek to UNDERSTAND? Can we answer as the Apostles do to Christ’s question, “Do you understand all these things?”
This Week’s Mass Warm-Up!
Catechesis At Home – Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year A
Understanding
First Reading
The LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night.
God said, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.”
Solomon answered:
“O LORD, my God, you have made me, your servant, king
to succeed my father David;
but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act.
I serve you in the midst of the people whom you have chosen,
a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted.
Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart
to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.
For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?”
The LORD was pleased that Solomon made this request.
So God said to him:
“Because you have asked for this—
not for a long life for yourself,
nor for riches,
nor for the life of your enemies,
but for understanding so that you may know what is right—
I do as you requested.
I give you a heart so wise and understanding
that there has never been anyone like you up to now,
and after you there will come no one to equal you.”
Responsorial Psalm
I have said, O LORD, that my part
is to keep your words.
The law of your mouth is to me more precious
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
R. Lord, I love your commands.
Let your kindness comfort me
according to your promise to your servants.
Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight.
R. Lord, I love your commands.
For I love your command
more than gold, however fine.
For in all your precepts I go forward;
every false way I hate.
R. Lord, I love your commands.
Wonderful are your decrees;
therefore I observe them.
The revelation of your words sheds light,
giving understanding to the simple.
R. Lord, I love your commands.
Second Reading
We know that all things work for good for those who love God,
who are called according to his purpose.
For those he foreknew he also predestined
to be conformed to the image of his Son,
so that he might be the firstborn
among many brothers and sisters.
And those he predestined he also called;
and those he called he also justified;
and those he justified he also glorified.
Gospel Reading
Alleluia
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
for you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Jesus said to his disciples:
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field,
which a person finds and hides again,
and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant
searching for fine pearls.
When he finds a pearl of great price,
he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea,
which collects fish of every kind.
When it is full they haul it ashore
and sit down to put what is good into buckets.
What is bad they throw away.
Thus it will be at the end of the age.
The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous
and throw them into the fiery furnace,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.
“Do you understand all these things?”
They answered, “Yes.”
And he replied,
“Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven
is like the head of a household
who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.”
or
Jesus said to his disciples:
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field,
which a person finds and hides again,
and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant
searching for fine pearls.
When he finds a pearl of great price,
he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”
Mass Readings are presented verbatim from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) web site in good faith according its guidelines and under the Fair Use doctrine for educational and commentary purposes. All Rights are reserved to the USCCB.
Understanding
REFLECTION – An Understanding Heart
King Solomon asked the Lord for an understanding heart, that he might govern his people wisely. The Psalmist proclaims that “the revelation of your words sheds light, giving understanding to the simple.” (Psalm 119:130). And Jesus asks His apostles, if they “understand all these things”, and when they reply “Yes”, He praises them.
When we pray, are we asking the Lord for understanding? Most of us want to understand the Lord, we certainly ask for Him to tell us what we want to know…but do we seek to UNDERSTAND? Understanding is different from Knowledge or Wisdom. It is a separate gift of the Holy Spirit. The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, pp. 208-209 helps us distinguish from both Knowledge and Wisdom:
Wisdom helps us to see the world from God’s viewpoint.
Knowledge directs us to a contemplation of the mystery of God and mysteries of the faith.
Understanding stimulates us to work on knowing ourselves as part of our growth in knowing God.
An understanding heart is open to the wisdom of God and knowing Him in a way that allows us to know ourselves as created in His image and likeness. An understanding heart is one that can distinguish between right and wrong. It is in this understanding that forms our conscience, and gives us the ability to follow Jesus to build the kingdom of God in our own families, parishes and communities.
DISCUSSION – Do you understand all these things?
Jesus asks the Apostles this question. Can we answer with confidence “yes” as they did? If we do not have that “yes”, then it is up to us to pray for and seek understanding. Discuss with your family what the Gospel message means to you, how do the metaphors of the kingdom of heaven apply to life today? And how can you find understanding if you do not understand at this time?
ACTIVITY – Seek Understanding
This week, find out what sort of studies, classes, groups, or resources your parish has to build knowledge and understanding in the faith. These may be the RCIA process, a Bible Study, an Adult Faith Formation class or series, subscriptions to various Catholic media or catechesis programs or any number of other programs. When you find out what your parish has available, sign up and attend one!
DIG DEEPER – Other Understanding resources from Holy Owned and Operated:
Page: Faith Formation
Video: Encountering Christ in Our Everyday Life
TWMWU: Celebrating the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist
TWMWU: God’s Own Design
TWMWU: Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Podcast Episode: Faith – Episode 50
Podcast Episode: Solidarity with the Church – Episode 132
Podcast Episode: The Immaculate Conception – Episode 125
How do you seek Understanding?
by Beth & Kristofer Cowles
HOO™ Co-Founders
Other Help on HOO
Being On The Road To Perfection – Episode 166
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:32 — 22.6MB)
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We are called to be perfect, as we discussed last week.
So, what does being on the road to perfection look like?
If Jesus was “finished” and his ministry was “completed,” as it means when He said, “It is done,” by saying, “It is perfected” just before He died on the Cross, He must have walked a road to perfection.
And so must we.
In this episode we discuss that concept, in terms of what we are doing and how we respond to the call for our life.
It’s a simple concept, and a difficult task, but we have the example of Our Lord which, from the proper perspective, is not an impossible example to follow and exemplify.
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