17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
1 Kgs 3:5,7-12
Rm 8:28-30
Mt 13:44-52
“Give your servant a heart to understand how to discern between good and evil…”
Ever since I was a little boy, I have been fascinated by King Solomon. The legendary figure that chose wisdom rather than riches or a long life. I remember telling myself that this would also be my choice should this question be posed to me. And perhaps King Solomon did really influence me, as I read anything I could get my hands, just to satisfy my insatiable thirst for knowledge and to learn as much I could. I also read volumes of the Encyclopedia Britannica and especially liked learning about mythology — specifically, Greek Mythology. And sports, I just loved sports and learning about the different sports and their rules. And like a sponge, I absorbed all that I read and I could safely say that I knew a lot more useless information than a lot of my classmates.
I have to state upfront. I am not a scholar. However I do like to learn about things and God has blessed me with the gift of picking up skills easily and quickly. He has also blessed me with enough intelligence and a quick mind so as not get hoodwinked easily, for the most part. I also possess an inquisitive mind and the ability to be a font of knowledge.
Hence, when I first starting working, I often felt confused why certain people needed so much more time to understand what was going on. I got extremely frustrated, gossiped and bad-mouthed them.
As you can guess it by now, one of my root sins is Pride.
My pride has often led me to feel that I am smarter than most people around me. This is especially so in the work environment, where I often look down on people that cannot keep up with my train of thought. I was judging my co-workers, and there were some of them that I thought weren’t up to my standard at all. This even extended to my direct managers. There were a few of them along the way that really, really didn’t get it at all. It’s something that I have tried very hard to resolve, but have been relatively unsuccessful thus far.
When I read Solomon’s reply to God on how he wanted a heart to understand how to discern between good and evil, a light bulb went off in my head. Perhaps the reason that I have been struggling with my pride is because I have not put my heart into loving my neighbour. I am merely treating them as things rather than people.
I am sure that when Jesus was instructing His disciples, he must also have had frustrations.
“Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened.” – Mk 8:17
But He loved his disciples and was patient with them, as He instructed them in the ways of the Kingdom of God. God does make straight crooked lines and by Jesus’ love and example, His disciples founded the Church, which has lasted for more than two thousand years. Perhaps a more surprising thing was that the Church was founded by these disciples that were considered ‘failures’, outcasts, and even criminals. They weren’t considered to be scholars or the brilliant thinkers of that time. However, they had one thing in common – it was their love for Jesus, with him being their example in all they do and say.
I, too, should learn from Jesus’ example when dealing with my pride. To love my neighbour and be patient, so that I can be God’s messenger and spread His love to everyone. To clearly understand that all I have and possess comes from God and to let Him lead me, with all the useless information that I may have, to build His kingdom and to glorify Him in all I do.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Calvin Wee)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are the Lord of all and we give you thanks and praise for everything. Grant us an inquisitive mind, a loving heart and a patient disposition that we are able to spread your message of Love in all we do and in so doing, fulfil the great commandment – to Love You and to love our neighbour. Amen
Thanksgiving: Heavenly Father, thank you for the gifts and the knowledge that you have bestowed. Lead me Lord, so that I may be able to discern your will for me and that I may have the courage to do it. Amen
OXYGEN 
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