Our society is often preoccupied with money. Yet there are some valuable things that money cannot buy - the love of a spouse, a happy family, a close friendship, health, contentment, and peace in our hearts.

In the first reading, King Solomon goes on pilgrimage to pray for God’s blessing at the start of his reign. Yet he does not ask for riches or long life or victory over enemies. Instead, he asks for the wisdom to discern between good and evil.

Solomon’s prayer is answered, and throughout history he has been remembered as a wise king. The Bible records his clever response in the case of the tug-of-love baby claimed by two mothers (1 Kings 3:16-28).

The gospel also speaks of something more valuable than money - the kingdom of heaven. Jesus’ first parable compares God’s kingdom to treasure hidden in a field. When someone finds it, he joyfully sells everything to buy it.

Jesus’ second parable speaks of the attractiveness of God’s kingdom - more valuable than a precious pearl. But it also describes the cost of gaining it - selling everything else. No price is too much to pay.

Hence, St Paul tells the Philippians that he regards everything else as rubbish in comparison with the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. He has given up everything and become like Christ crucified, in order to attain the resurrection from the dead (Phil 3:7-11).

In the second reading from St Paul to the Romans, we hear the wonderful message that for those who love God, all things work together for good. We are called to become real images of Jesus, showing his love to those around us. Jesus is our eldest brother, and we are all his younger brothers and sisters, invited to share his life.

But perhaps we could be tempted to see God’s kingdom merely as a nice possession to have, like a treasure or a fine pearl kept at home on the mantlepiece. Hence, St Matthew adds a third parable, speaking of the reckoning at the end of time.

God’s kingdom is like a huge net that catches both good and bad fish. But once the net is hauled ashore, the fish are sorted. The good fish are kept, but the bad fish are thrown away. That is how it will be at the end of time.

St Matthew is offering us a reality check. None of us is perfect, and we are all on a journey of conversion. But some people actively prepare for the final reckoning, while others completely ignore it.

Last week we celebrated the feast days of St Mary Magdalene and St James, who both responded to Jesus’ call. This week we will commemorate Sts Martha, Mary and Lazarus - a family of disciples who welcomed Jesus. May we listen to Jesus and welcome him during our time on earth, so that at the final reckoning he may welcome us into heaven.

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Today (which would have been the memorial of Ss Joachim and Anne, the parents of Mary) is a World day of prayer for grandparents.

Today, we come to the end of a three Sundays of parables about the Kingdom of Heaven. For the Kingdom of Heaven [or of God], see CCC paras.541-553 and 2816-2821, and also the Preface for the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (RM p.544):

"an eternal and universal kingdom,

a kingdom of truth and life,

a kingdom of holiness and grace,

a kingdom of justice, love and peace.”

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 For a brief treatment of parables see CCC para.546.

Today’s prayers and readings also offer a correlation between wisdom and law. See the  Collect “… with you as our ruler and guide, we may use the good things that pass in such a way as to hold fast even now to those that ever endure.”, Solomon’s being gifted with understanding and discernment in order to govern (First Reading); the whole of the Responsorial Psalm, and the last sentence of the Gospel, “…like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” For comment on Jesus and the law see CCC paras.577-582.

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Hymns have been selected from the Laudate hymnbook:

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608 Take my hands

812 Christ be near at either hand

874 Take my life

967 O, the Love of my Lord

980 Your words are spirit and life (Bernadette Farrell)