Fil-Mission Sunday
First reading: 1 Kgs. 3:5,7–12
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 to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong. For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?”
The LORD was pleased that Solomon made this request. So God said to him: “Because you have asked for this—not 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—I do as you requested. I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you.”
Second reading: Rom. 8:28–30
Brothers and sisters: We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified.
Gospel: Mt. 13:44–52
Jesus said to his disciples: “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. 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. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away. Thus it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.
“Do you understand all these things?” They answered, “Yes.” And he replied, “Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.”
In other words
Fr. Ronnie R. Crisostomo, SVD (Diocesan Shrine of Jesus, the Divine Word, Quezon City)
An interesting article appeared in the South China Morning Post (14 November 2024) about a 38-year-old Japanese man named Go Kita, who discerned and decided to limit the act of making decisions, which he found distressing and overwhelming. Studies show that an individual faces up to 35,000 decisions every day. This challenge becomes even more acute in an information-saturated world, often leading to “decision fatigue”—a state of mental exhaustion caused by overwhelming choices. In turn, this may impair judgment, lead to procrastination, and result in irrational decisions.
When Go Kita entered the workforce 15 years ago in the information industry, he found the sheer number of decisions he had to make distressing, overwhelming, and anxiety-inducing. Experiencing “decision overload” in the workplace, he resolved to follow strict routines and consume the same food daily. By doing so, he minimized decision-making, thereby achieving greater mental clarity.
Kita’s lifestyle was inspired by former baseball player Ichiro Suzuki, who adhered to a strict daily routine for seven years: eating the same breakfast, following a fixed exercise schedule, and even timing his post-game baths.
The article reports: “By simplifying his daily decisions, Suzuki achieved laser focus in his training and games, culminating in an unprecedented 10 consecutive 200-hit seasons—the longest streak in baseball history.” What a marvelous testament to the power of simplifying one’s lifestyle and maintaining focus!
One of the central themes of the Gospel parables in today’s reading is the capacity to discern and appreciate the true value of things—coupled with the unwavering decision to seek, pursue, and acquire them, like those who found the hidden treasures in the Gospel parables. However, the challenge of embracing simplicity and clarity in life arises from the multitude of choices before us. Moreover, we often lack complete insight into the true value of things. Thus, we need the light and wisdom of God to help us discern and judge rightly—much like Solomon, who prayed for this gift.
It is comforting to know that God, in His goodness, arranges all things for our benefit: “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). The great challenge for us, however, is to recognize, discern, and value these blessings and realities in our lives.