Biblical perfection is for us, too

A reflection on the daily readings, for Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time, by Father Perry.

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

+ There is a familiar saying —

“Be careful what you ask for from God — you might just get it.”

Well, our first reading today from 1 Kings debunks that saying with divine force.

And in yet another biblical dream, God enters into a most intimate conversation with Solomon, offering to the monarch the gift of whatever he would ask for from the Lord.

God did not say that after it was asked, he (God) would consider giving the gift.

No! He said it is yours. Just ask.

Now, the wonder unravels before Solomon’s eyes in a most beautiful and blessed way.

Solomon proves his worth and reveals his character, and opens up his inner gift of wisdom he obviously already had, but had no idea just how it would grow and become so much more.

After speaking a litany of gratitude and appreciation for all that God had already given to not only himself, but Solomon’s father, too, Solomon asked for “an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.”

Oh, and was God ever pleased!

So here is the story of how Solomon became so wise, for God gave him what he asked for, and much, much, much more.

He got what was “behind the curtain”; and then God said, “and in addition to this gift you are going to Hawaii, and you get a new car, and enjoy your new house in the Caribbean.”

Oops! I lost it for a second. It sounded like one of the best game shows, and more.

But here I am in the wrong century.

The point is that God gave generously to Solomon who asked from the heart, and received a super abundance of blessing and grace, with the promise that his wisdom would be great and absolutely unsurpassed for all time!

Now that is almost biblical perfection.

+ Now, Jesus had sent his apostles out to do ministry, and they now had come back to report to Jesus all that they had “done and taught.”

Quite frankly, they were tired.

Ever so perceptive, Jesus invited them to “come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile.”

They tried to escape by boat and go to another shore, but let’s face it “the cat was out of the bag.”

The people figured it out just where they were going.

And before Jesus’ boat with the apostles got there, the crowd — and a very vast one at that — were already there waiting.

These people were hungry for more! They loved what Jesus and his trained apostles had been giving, and wanted more.

In fact, Jesus had a reaction to what he saw as he described it —

“They were like sheep without a shepherd.”

He had pity for them, and he began to teach them.

Mark, the shortest Gospel, gets to the point fast.

We are on the move. We are getting set up to be ready for a transfigured moment, but how we get there in Mark is everything.

Be ready for the hunger and the feedings and the teachings, and the healings and the seeing and the hearing.

In rapid succession more — oh, so much more! — will be revealed.