主日讀經反思 Sunday Scripture Meditation (24/07/2011)

本主日讀經︰
列王紀上　3:5,7-12
聖詠　119[118]: 97,57,72,76,77,127-128,129-130
羅馬書　8:28-30
瑪竇福音　13:44-52　或　13:44-46

默想︰

相信很多人都會希望好像撒羅滿一樣，能獲天主顯現，即使只是在夢中，並獲許：「你不拘求甚麼，我必給你」。那麼你會求甚麼？長壽？富貴？健康？撒羅滿所求的確明智，他求的是一顆能明辨善惡的慧心，好能造福他的子民。他求天主賜他恩寵，讓他滿全天主對他的召叫，做個稱職的上主僕人、以色列的君王、天主選民的領袖、他父親達味的繼承人：「求祢賜給祢的僕人一顆慧心，判斷善惡」。撒羅滿所求獲得了上主的歡心。我們不妨反省自己的祈禱是否也得上主的歡心？

撒羅滿因上主揀選他作為君王而向上主提出請求，我們也有權為心中所欲而求，即使只為自己而求；就如耶穌（若16:23-24）、聖保祿（斐4:6）、聖依納爵，和其他聖師們寄語的一般教導。我們可以借用聖詠作者的話語：「願祢按祢的仁慈來安慰我」。

上主，求祢賜給我們一顆明辨善惡的心，使我們安度聖善的生活。


【摘自和平七月號】


Readings (Year A) page 4:
Kings 3: 5, 7-12
Psalm 119: 57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130
Romans 8: 28-30
Matthew 13: 44-52 or 44-46

Many of us might be rather pleased if God were to appear to us, even in a dream, and make such a generous offer to us as he did to Solomon "Ask what you would like me to give you." What would you ask? Long life? Prosperity? Good health? Solomon's request is a wiser one, in that while asking for understanding, he is asking something that will be for the good of other: he asks for the grace to fulfill God's calling as God's servant and king of Israel, leader of God's chosen people, successor of David, his father: "Give your servant a heart to understand how to discern between good and evil." God is pleased with Solomon's request. We may reflect whether our prayers of intercession are pleasing to God.
While Solomon's request derives from God's choice of him as king, we are entitled to ask for what we want, even for ourselves, as Jesus (Jn 16:23-24), St. Paul (Phil 4:6), St. Ignatius and spiritual masters in general teach us. We might pray adapting the words of the Psalmist: "Let your love always console me."

Lord God, give us a heart to discern between good and evil, so that we may live good and holy lives.

Shalom – Thoughts for Prayer