This week's readings offer us lots to think about:
http://www.usccb.org/nab/072708.shtml
How well do we understand what God teaches us and asks of us?
I love the image in the first reading of Solomon dreaming that God promises to give him whatever he asks. He asks for the wisdom to complete well the work that God has set before him. What a great example of how to pray with openness!
And I find the disciples' response to Jesus' parables in the Gospel reading pretty funny. He's been going at this parable thing for three weeks of Gospel readings now, and it seems like he finally stops mid-stream and asks them "Do you understand all these things?" And they simply say "Yes."
There's no possible way they REALLY understand the complete truth of what Jesus is trying to teach them, even if they are getting it little by little. I mean, you can contemplate the meaning of Jesus' teachings and the depth of the symbolism in his parables for a lifetime and still be learning more! As usual, Jesus' followers, us included, tend to overestimate our understanding of God's ways.
I'm going to spend this week praying for the wisdom and humilty of Solomon.
What beliefs do we hold that maybe we need to look at again in order to understand the deeper truth?
How can we open ourselves to let God give us a more understanding heart?