Priorities Matter

The Gospel today speaks of the Kingdom of God being the “pearl of great price” or the “treasure buried in a field” that one sells all that they have to own.  I don’t think it’s the pearl or treasure that matter.  I think it is the act of putting the pearl or treasure above all.  I think Jesus is the “pearl of great price” and the “treasure buried in a field.”  I must put Jesus first.  But how do I do that? 
In our First Reading in the First Book of Kings, Solomon gives an example of kingdom thinking and acting.  As the new king after King David, Solomon knows he is young and needs help.  He calls himself God’s servant.  He says to God, “Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.”  This is how I put Jesus first.  I must see myselfs first and always as Jesus’s servant.  I ask for Jesus to give me an understanding heart to judge others and to know what is wrong and what is right.  How do I consistently serve Jesus with a kingdom heart?  I pray for my heart to be ever more the heart of Jesus.  I take time to listen to Jesus when I pray.  I receive the Jesus in the Eucharist regularly at Mass.  I receive Jesus in the Word proclaimed at Mass as well as when I read the scriptures regularly on my own.  Jesus, come and change my heart so that I may serve others with your heart.

Las prioridades importan
El Evangelio de hoy habla de que el Reino de Dios es la "perla de gran precio" o el "tesoro enterrado en un campo" que uno vende todo lo que tiene que poseer. No creo que lo que importa sea la perla o el tesoro. Creo que es el acto de poner la perla o el tesoro por encima de todo. Creo que Jesús es la "perla de gran precio" y el "tesoro enterrado en un campo". Debo poner a Jesús primero. ¿Pero cómo hago eso?
En nuestra primera lectura en el primer libro de los Reyes, Salomón da un ejemplo del pensamiento y la actuación del reino. Como el nuevo rey después del Rey David, Salomón sabe que es joven y necesita ayuda. Se hace llamar siervo de Dios. Él le dice a Dios: "Dale a tu siervo, por lo tanto, un corazón comprensivo para juzgar a tu pueblo y distinguir lo correcto de lo incorrecto". Así es como pongo a Jesús primero. Debo verme a mí mismo primero y siempre como el siervo de Jesús. Le pido a Jesús que me dé un corazón comprensivo para juzgar a los demás y saber qué está mal y qué está bien. ¿Cómo sirvo constantemente a Jesús con un corazón del reino? Oro para que mi corazón sea cada vez más el corazón de Jesús. Tomo tiempo para escuchar a Jesús cuando oro. Recibo al Jesús en la Eucaristía regularmente en la Misa. Recibo a Jesús en la Palabra proclamada en la Misa, así como cuando leo las Escrituras regularmente por mi cuenta. Jesús, ven y cambia mi corazón para que pueda servir a otros con tu corazón.

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