A very gentle song that emerged from the mid-century’s liturgical moderations is entitled “Romans 8” and was styled by Rhode Island native Enrico Garzilli after that chapter in St. Paul’s monumental epistle which happens to be the second reading at Mass this coming Sunday. Although the words to the hymn are copyrighted and may not be produced completely here, the canticle follows almost exactly St. Paul’s inspired words as found in the sacred text. The local author celebrates the Divine providential plan by which all who love God, all who respond to His call, are guaranteed that life will work out for their good. And this righteous benefit is the result of the believer having been conformed to the likeness of God’s own Son, a boon to be extended throughout many, many peoples.
Like St. Paul, Garzilli’s lyrics continue to celebrate God’s generous call bestowed on his beloved ones. The author rejoices in God’s plentiful justification shared with all his believers. He acclaims God’s final gift of glorification that will seal for all eternity the unalterable love of God for his select believers made effective through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ.
The lyrics and melody continue to celebrate quite tenderly the extent of God’s mercy especially to be recalled when the believer sadly experiences condemnation or bewilderment or separation in daily life. Romans 8, both in Scripture and in song, is a tribute to the breadth and depth of God’s love for his elected believers.
Wisely does this Sunday’s liturgy link the second reading’s celebration of God’s love for humankind with a Gospel passage that underlines the commitment demanded from each believer toward this loving God.
The parable of the treasure hidden in the field and the similar parable of the pearl of great price are both tales demanding from the individual believer a total commitment towards God that might reflect God’s total commitment toward the individual believer.
The key words identical in both brief parables are “...goes and sells all that he has.” Yes, God anticipates total commitment on the part of every believer. The word “all” here might well be underlined or italicized or in bold print in every Bible and missal.
The instructive first reading from the Book of Wisdom notes the spiritual astuteness that made King Solomon the revered Jewish hero whose insights have happily survived his indiscretions.
Although King Solomon, like his royal father David, had an eye for the ladies, he is more deeply remembered for his keen sense of human nature. The threat to divide a baby in half to placate two women was one of the celebrated decisions that resulted from his initial plea to God for a sensible and sensitive reign.
“Give your servant, therefore,” Solomon prayed, “an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.” The ancient king’s fidelity to God and his solicitude for his people found in the Old Testament happily join the exuberant love of God for each believer celebrated in St. Paul’s Roman letter with the total dedication expected from every one of God’s sons and daughters demanded by Christ’s twin parables.
Dedication, commitment, and loyalty are the themes that permeate this coming Sunday’s three readings.
Solomon does not ask for “a long life” or “riches” or “the life of his enemies.” Rather the king requests “an understanding heart” so that he may make fitting judgments for his people’s benefit. He prefers to “know what is right” rather than advance his own power.
Solomon is totally committed to his people’s welfare. The finders of the lost treasure and the hidden pearl hold nothing back in their efforts to acquire these two prized possessions. They surrender their home and wealth, their reserves and holdings, to gain some prized coins and a precious gem. Nothing is going to stay in their way.
And of course, the steadfastness of Solomon and the treasure seekers is just a glimpse of the total devotion that God has toward those he has appointed.
God has called them; he has justified them; and he will glorify them. The authentic believer will find great solace and great strength in the belief that he or she has been called by God to approach him and to enjoy this love.
God’s Providence is no accident. Those he has chosen must relish that priceless selection. God’s commitment is no idle gesture.
