Word to the Wise
Saturday, February 8, 2014 - Saturday in the 4th Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Kgs 3:4-13 and Mark 6:30-34]"Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong. For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?"
Solomon succeeds his father, King David, at a young age and is feeling overwhelmed by the responsibility. Out of this feeling, he utters his famous prayer asking for an "understanding heart" [more traditionally translated, "wisdom"]. Because Solomon did not pray for riches and glory, his prayer was heard. God promises a wise and understanding heart plus riches and glory!
There has been many an occasion that I have echoed Solomon's prayer when presented with a task that I felt was beyond my abilities! ["Riches and glory" weren't on the table!] God has been present through the Holy Spirit either to "suggest" a way through or at least keep me from making far more serious errors! I recall my assignment at the age of 34 to be pastor of the huge Catholic student center at the University of Arizona, or my appointment to be director of novices for my Dominican province, or my election as prior of the Dominican community where I now live in Houston. Then there are the many daily decisions that come up! Parents and teachers know these occasions far better than I do! It is rarely a matter of the "right" decision but rather the "wise" decision. Invariably, the "wise" decision will be the "right" one, even if laws and customs or appetites may have dictated a different course of action.
Solomon showed himself to be "wise" by praying for wisdom! I think his example is the "right" one! AMEN