This week we come to the end of Matthew’s long list of parables describing the Kingdom. Up to this point the coming of the Kingdom is described “from the outside” as something that happens, and for us the implication is in terms of how we react to it or what we do about it. The final parables switch the focus to the Kingdom being something we have to work for – we have to look for it, and when we find it we have to focus just on that, because it’s the most important thing we could possibly find.
The first Reading, which tells us about Solomon’s big decision, points in the same direction. We have to work at making the right choice when we are given the opportunity. And the right choice is unlikely to align with what ‘the world’ might expect us to go after – power, wealth, good health even. Solomon asked for wisdom and the ability to serve better. Perhaps most significant is that Solomon’s request is born out of humility, his recognition that by himself he’s not up to coping with the demands on him. Claims of service which are not founded on deep humility easily become a mask for exploitation or even corruption. This was true of the majority of the kings of Israel – Solomon is seen in the Bible as very much an exception. The failure of leaders to base their service on humility can be seen throughout the ages, and has affected many from popes to contemporary politicians. Even Jesus’ disciples were not immune to this temptation. Jesus called them out saying “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35)
Alongside the parables that we’ve heard from Matthew over the last few weeks, we’ve also been working through the central part of Paul’s letter to the church in Rome. Paul wrote his other letters to communities that he founded and he was clearly in the role of instructor and guide for them. The community in Rome was established by others, we don’t really know by whom, but it was already important before Paul went there. So he writes more in the spirit of one introducing himself and in effect setting out his positions and justifying himself in advance.
This means this letter is pretty densely packed. Paul is given to long and often convoluted sentences even at the best of times. Sometimes we may do better to step back and look at the larger picture and avoid getting lost in the weeds. Today’s passage about predestination, justification, and glorification is a large scale briar patch in which Augustine got badly scratched! Luther followed him and much of the subsequent tragedy of the Reformation was fought out in this thicket. However it leads into one of the most glorious affirmations of faith that Paul provides anywhere, and he provides a lot of them.
You’ll have to wait until next week for that, and for now we’ll step around the thorns. We can rest in the knowledge that “all things work for good for those who love God”. We have our treasure and we are joyful.