In today’s first reading from 1 Kings 3, we meet Solomon. Solomon’s father, David, had just died. The son had ascended to the throne of Israel. More in a moment. In our Gospel reading from Mark 6, we see great crowds coming to find Jesus. “His heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd.”
Solomon is known as the model of wisdom. But he didn’t get that way on his own. It wasn’t his long life or many experiences that gave him wisdom. You see, when he took the throne of his father, David, he was a very young man, probably just a teen. In our first reading today, God tells Solomon that he can have anything he wants. Just ask. Are you serious, Lord? Anything? So what did Solomon ask for?
“Give your servant an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.” Wow! Solomon, a mere youth, can have anything he asks for. And he asks for wisdom. Can you imagine? God was pretty impressed. So He gave him more wisdom than anyone ever on the planet. It seems to me that the first step toward gaining wisdom is to ask for wisdom!
Father, give us wisdom. Help us to know your will, to know your heart. Amen.
“Father, give us wisdom. Help us to know your will, to know your heart. Amen.”
Thank you for a truly beautiful prayer Gus!