In today's readings, we hear about what we value most. We are asked to reflect on what holds priority in our hearts. In today's first reading, we hear about the episode in which Solomon, having just ascended to the throne, receives a dream—a dream from God, who invites him to ask for anything he so desires. As the reading itself describes, God said to him: “Because you did not ask for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right...” (1 Kings 3:11) He answers Solomon's prayer by giving him wisdom.
This is what Solomon asked for: “Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong. For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?” (1 Kings 3:9)
My dear brothers and sisters, this dream must have occurred after King David, Solomon's father, died, which was around 970 BC. Solomon ruled approximately from 970 to 931 BC—roughly thirty-nine or forty years, as we read in 1 Kings 11:42. This dream likely occurred within the first few years after his accession.
Notice Solomon says: “I am a mere youth.” (1 Kings 3:7) The Hebrew word can mean child, adolescent, young adult, or inexperienced servant. Most scholars estimate Solomon was somewhere between eighteen and twenty-five years old, but not a little boy like Josiah. His statement is primarily one of humility.
Israel at the time was at its political and economic peak. The kingdom stretched roughly three hundred miles, or about four hundred and eighty kilometres, from north to south. It extended from the Mediterranean nearly to the Arabian Desert and included nearly all the territory promised to Israel under David. Many historians estimate the population at roughly one to two million people. That's a lot of people out in the desert. Thus Solomon truly governed, and I quote, “a people too numerous to count.” (1 Kings 3:8)
Why does this happen in a dream? Dreams were recognised throughout the ancient Near East as one legitimate way God communicated. Examples include Jacob, Joseph, Daniel, Joseph the husband of Mary, and the Magi.
Notice that this dream is not vague symbolism. It is a direct divine conversation and intervention.
Solomon asks for an understanding heart—a listening heart, quite literally, is the transliteration of the original Hebrew expression. Not simply intelligence, not IQ, not education, but rather a heart capable of listening to God, to truth, to people, and to justice. This is why many translations say an understanding heart, a discerning heart, or a listening heart. It is perhaps the most beautiful description of wisdom in the Old Testament.
What does Solomon not ask for?
God lists three things Solomon could have requested: long life, riches, and victory over his enemies.
The average life expectancy in the ancient world was only around thirty-five to forty years, although those who survived childhood often lived into their sixties or seventies. Solomon did not ask for a long life.
He didn't ask for riches. Ironically, Solomon later became one of history's wealthiest monarchs. According to 1 Kings, chapter 10, he received six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold every year. One talent weighed approximately seventy-five pounds. That equals roughly fifty thousand pounds of gold annually.
In today's second reading, Saint Paul says: “We know that all things work for good for those who love God.” (Romans 8:28) In asking for wisdom rather than riches, Solomon showed that he loved God because he desired wisdom in order to serve, to give his life in service to his people. And so, in loving his neighbour in that way, he was actually loving God. Therefore all things worked together for the good. Even though he did not ask for wealth, God still lavished it upon him.
Neither did Solomon ask for victory over his enemies. Every ancient king wanted military success. Instead, Solomon requested wisdom.
God's response is beautiful. He says: “I give you.” (1 Kings 3:12) He does not merely say, "I'll help you." He says, "I give you." Wisdom is a gift before it becomes a virtue. Grace always comes first. Human effort follows, for sure, but God has to be the source of our strength, our joy, our peace, and our understanding.
In today's Gospel, Jesus speaks about the treasure hidden in a field. He says: “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” (Matthew 13:44) He continues: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.” (Matthew 13:45–46)
Now, my dear friends, our Lord is saying that if we truly have found something we value in Him, if our treasure is God, then we would gladly get rid of everything else, if necessary, in order to possess that treasure.
If we really knew who God is—if we really knew His beauty, His holiness, His goodness, and His sweetness—if we truly believed the words of the Psalm, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” (Psalm 34:8) we would never turn back.
Let us ask someone who for sure found that hidden treasure buried in a field—our Blessed Mother—to intercede for us, so that we will always place God in our hearts, protect His presence there, and cherish Him as our heavenly treasure, just as she did.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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