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The notes

Complete notes (pdf)
Gospel notes (audio)
Gospel notes (portable)

The readings

There are two young people in today's readings: the young king Solomon and the rich young man. Both are in search of something "more", both are on a quest. One is successful and the other disappointed. What makes the difference?

It might help to go back to our own experience of the deeper human longing, the spiritual quest. It is likely that I have experienced both success and failure — and I could ask myself what in me made the difference each time?  Moving into the present moment, where am I now in my life? What do I desire deep down? Are there things I need to let go of right now? 

Some inspiration

For a further teaching on this text, there's video reflection given by Dr John Grabowskyfrom the Catholic University of America.

Outside our tradition, the great Persian poet Hafez puts his finger on the essential. The strophes in italics capture the Gospel differently but accurately. 

Tired of Speaking Sweetly

Love wants to reach out and manhandle us,
Break all our teacup talk of God.

If you had the courage and
Could give the Beloved His choice, some nights,
He would just drag you around the room
By your hair,
Ripping from your grip all those toys in the world
That bring you no joy.

Love sometimes gets tired of speaking sweetly
And wants to rip to shreds
All your erroneous notions of truth

That make you fight within yourself, dear one,
And with others,

Causing the world to weep
On too many fine days.

God wants to manhandle us,
Lock us inside of a tiny room with Himself
And practice His dropkick.

The Beloved sometimes wants
To do us a great favour:

Hold us upside down
And shake all the nonsense out.

But when we hear
He is in such a "playful drunken mood"
Most everyone I know
Quickly packs their bags and hightails it
Out of town.

From: 'The Gift'
Translated by Daniel Ladinsky

Kieran O'Mahony,

OSA Biblical Resources