Reading I
1 Kgs 3:4-13
Solomon went to Gibeon to sacrifice there,
because that was the most renowned high place.
Upon its altar Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings.
In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night.
God said, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.”
Solomon answered:
“You have shown great favor to your servant, my father David,
because he behaved faithfully toward you,
with justice and an upright heart;
and you have continued this great favor toward him, even today,
seating a son of his on his throne.
O LORD, my God, you have made me, your servant,
king to succeed my father David;
but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act.
I serve you in the midst of the people whom you have chosen,
a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted.
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?”
The LORD was pleased that Solomon made this request.
So God said to him: “Because you have asked for this–
not for a long life for yourself,
nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies,
but for understanding so that you may know what is right–
I do as you requested.
I give you a heart so wise and understanding
that there has never been anyone like you up to now,
and after you there will come no one to equal you.
In addition, I give you what you have not asked for,
such riches and glory that among kings there is not your like.”
Gospel
Mk 6:30-34
The Apostles gathered together with Jesus
and reported all they had done and taught.
He said to them,
“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”
People were coming and going in great numbers,
and they had no opportunity even to eat.
So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.
People saw them leaving and many came to know about it.
They hastened there on foot from all the towns
and arrived at the place before them.
When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd,
his heart was moved with pity for them,
for they were like sheep without a shepherd;
and he began to teach them many things.
Meditation: 1 Kings 3:4-13
Picture someone who has just become the leader of a great nation. What’s the first thing that person will do upon taking office?
Usually, they will consult with their close advisers and with the heads of various government agencies. Together they will decide what can be done to make their nation more prosperous and to solve the problems that the people are facing. With enough planning, foresight, and brain power, they hope they’ll be able to turn things around for the better.
Many of today’s leaders take that kind of approach to running their countries, but it wasn’t Solomon’s approach. The first thing he did was to pray for an “understanding heart” (1 Kings 3:9)—not an understanding head! Like other Old Testament figures, Solomon believed that the heart, not the mind, is the center of our personality. It is the place where we hear God speak to us and where we can discern right from wrong. As the king of God’s chosen people, Solomon knew he needed God to speak to his heart so that he could rule his people in wisdom and justice.
We need wisdom no less than Solomon did. Our lives are often complicated and stressful. We have countless decisions to make that affect not only our lives but the lives of other people as well. And we can’t always make good decisions by thinking really hard about them! Sometimes we need God’s counsel to help us sort things out. And if we want to know God’s guidance, we need to know him. After all, divine wisdom really isn’t something—it’s someone. And that someone is Jesus.
However, saying one prayer like Solomon’s won’t give us a lifetime of wisdom. We can find wisdom only as we seek the Lord every day. So when things just aren’t flowing smoothly, don’t make another to-do list! Go to your favorite quiet place, or if you’re in a busy environment, quiet your heart. Tell Jesus that you need him, and listen for his words of encouragement and guidance. It’s his nature to give everything generously, including wisdom (James 1:5). Who knows? The answer may be just a prayer away!
“Lord, I admit I don’t have all the answers! Help me to hear your voice, and lead me into your perfect will for my life.”
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