Matthew 13:46
"When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it."
Readings for Sunday: 1 Kings, Romans, Matthew
Reflection:
If you were Aladdin and a genie granted you one wish, for what would you ask?
Of course, we don’t believe in genies or magic lamps. But we do believe in God, and we do pray. So if God guaranteed one, and only one, request, for what would you ask?
Perhaps asking for the miraculous healing of a loved one, who is sick, would not be the best choice. That may sound harsh but consider Lazarus. Jesus raised him from the dead—a stunning miracle. Yet Lazarus eventually died again. Every earthly healing is temporary because death still comes for us all.
King Solomon faced a similar question when God said, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.” Solomon did not ask for wealth, power, or a long life. He asked for wisdom to serve God well, and God praised his request.
Too often we treat God like a genie, asking Him to grant our wishes. But God’s greatest desire is not simply to make this life more comfortable. His greatest desire is our salvation.
That is why, if we have one guaranteed request, we should ask for the salvation of those we love —as well as our own.
Jesus constantly points us toward eternity. He compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a treasure hidden in a field and a pearl of great price, worth giving up everything else to obtain. Nothing is more valuable.
This doesn’t mean we stop praying for healing or other needs. We should. God cares deeply about our suffering. But even suffering can become a path to holiness, as we see in Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection. As St. Paul reminds us, “We know that all things work for good for those who love God.”
There may be no magic lamps, but there is something far greater: a God who desires to be with us forever. The real question is not whether God wants to grant us eternal life. He does.
The question is: if you had only one wish, would that be yours?
Reflection Questions
- If God guaranteed you one request, what would you ask for—and what does your answer reveal about what you value most?
- Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a treasure hidden in a field and a pearl of great price. What are some things in your life that compete with God for first place in your heart?
- How often do your prayers focus on temporary needs—such as health, success, or comfort—compared to praying for your own salvation and the salvation of those you love?