July 26, 2026
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…” 1 Kings 3: 5-9
As I write my blog this week, I find myself overwhelmed by so many pressures and distractions that it is difficult to concentrate. In my weakened and frustrated state, I feel a kinship with Solomon and wonder whether I would be as wise as he if God offered me the opportunity to ask for anything. Would I impulsively waste the chance to receive something extraordinary, or would I have the wisdom to ask, as Solomon did, for an understanding heart?
Many of us know the Serenity Prayer by heart: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference." It is, in many ways, Solomon's prayer. Standing before God as a young and inexperienced king, Solomon did not ask for fame or riches. He did not ask for all his problems to disappear. He did not ask that everyone agree with him or treat him better. Instead, he asked for an understanding heart. His desire was to have the skill of true discernment. He wanted to be the type of leader who was empathic toward others (and perhaps himself!) while also being true to God.
There are days when I feel as though I owe everyone an apology. Yet deep down I know God is not asking me to be perfect. He is simply asking me to do better—or perhaps, as I grow older, to do a little less and understand a little more.
The Gospel this week is one of Jesus' most familiar teachings. We hear of a treasure hidden in a field and a pearl of great price. The passage includes a merchant and/or thief who discover something and give up all they have to obtain it. It appears to be an obsession but the message is that we should crave something much more valuable. Do we crave things of this world more than the true gifts God provides?
We can all relate to the question that we could answer as one or as a community: What are we really looking for? Many of us are not searching for things as much as we are searching for relationships with not only each other but with God. We long to experience understanding that goes beyond knowledge -wisdom rooted in compassion, humility, and love.
We know that biblical righteousness is not about proving that we are right, and it is certainly not about being self-righteous. It is instead about moving in the right direction, walking humbly with God and with hearts open to His grace.
The parish communities of Corpus Christi and All Saints on the Hudson are embarking on new journeys of discernment as we seek God's call for us as disciples. As old and weathered as I sometimes feel, I also feel as overwhelmed as the young Solomon, who knew enough to ask for the right gift. May we take time to understand one another better and work together so that the treasure that sometimes seems so distant becomes something we discover and share together.
Let us continue praying for greater understanding, empathy, and the courage to make a difference in our world. May God grant us the serenity to accept what we cannot change, the courage to change what we can, and above all, the understanding heart that Solomon sought. Perhaps that is what being a faithful disciple is all about. God bless you.