a reflection by : MARK GATES
1 Kings 3:5, 7-12 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 these vast people of yours?”
**Solomon displays tremendous humility in his answer to God. I assume that this also has something to do with his upbringing. David had to teach Solomon, from his birth to revere and respect God as Creator of all including him.
**This is also a great example of God’s generosity. We humans cannot out-give God. I, for one, have a most wonderful life! God supplied it, gifted it to me and it’s more than I could’ve hoped for.
Romans 8:28-30 Brothers and sisters: 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. **If you feel that this sounds a lot like Jer 1:4-5, You’d be right…“Before you were formed in the womb I knew you…”
God has a plan for our SUCCESS, not our downfall. Our free will and ‘he who shall not be named’ are always nipping at our heals like a chihuahua. All we have to do is follow the plan…Why Not?? Did you have something better to do?
Alleluia, Alleluia. “Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; for you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom.” ARE We humble, little?
Gospel, Matthew 13:44-52, 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.
***When was the last time that you felt as though God as the Blessed Trinity -and- Heaven were the most valuable possessions in your life? **Well here’s your contemplative action for this week. THIS is your JOY- JOY- JOY this week… No matter how young you are, make God and Heaven more valuable to your life than anything else. God will repay you, Abundantly.! Thank you for your time. God is Great, Now and Forever! Mark Gates… aka: Bro. BLU.
