If you knew the Lord would grant you a wish, what would it be? Every time we pray, as today;s First Reading reminds, we are expressing a wish with the faith and hope that Our Lord will grant it. Our wishes say a lot about ourselves, what we think of others, and what we think of God. Solomon shows a great wisdom in wishing for more wisdom in order to be a good king. For him being a king was not about glory or personal accomplishment; it was about ruling well and ensuring the well being of his subjects. His wish showed selflessness and humility.
The Lord knows very well what kings usually ask for, and to reward Solomon he promises him not only wisdom, but also riches and glory. The kingdom later thrived under Solomon’s rule, and it was one of the most glorious times Israel ever experienced in its history. Solomon also became synonymous with wisdom, so much so that the books of the Old Testament categorized as Wisdom literature were believed at one point in history to have all been written by him personally.
Philosophy literally means a love for wisdom. Wisdom enables us to seek a higher vantage point in life in order to see the big picture and grow in understanding. When Our Lord shares his wisdom with us, as he does in today’s Gospel, he is sharing wisdom from the highest vantage point of all: God’s. Let’s follow Solomon’s sage advice and ask Our Lord for wisdom.
Readings: 1 Kings 3:4–13; Psalm 119:9–14; Mark 6:30–34. See also 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B and 18th Week in Ordinary Time, Monday.