Solomon prays for wisdom
Solomon
has recently been made king, as the successor to his father David. These are
tumultuous times, and his position as ruler is not secure.
He
must have been pondering how best to serve his people, and how to stay in
control of his kingdom. He was still "a young child", as he says of
himself.
Then,
in a dream, God appears to him. "What shall I give you? Tell me."
In
the slum of Nairobi where I work, secondary school students preparing for
national examinations and their adult lives, will also be hearing God saying to
them : "What shall I give you? Tell me."
And
these young people, whose families own so little, but who see others flaunting
their wealth, must be wondering just as Solomon may have done. "Shall I
ask for lots of money? Shall I ask for fame and glory?". In Kenya, such a
desire would not even be selfish, since such benefits would be shared with
their families and relatives.
But
King Solomon asked for wisdom, "a heart with skill to listen, so that he
may govern your people justly and distinguish good from evil". God was
pleased with this response, he answered Solomon's prayer and added wealth and
glory as well.
St
Matthew in his Gospel (6 : 33) quoted Jesus as saying something very similar
(in the words of the well-known hymn) : "Seek ye first the kingdom of God
and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you".
Lord,
help us to get our priorities right. Give us the wisdom to listen, to love you
and to love those around us. If we can develop that wisdom (and Advent is an
excellent time to pray for it), God will respond by providing us with whatever
we need.
Isabelle
Prondzynski
Editors’
notes: Isabelle is a CMSI (Christian Mission
Society Ireland) Mission Associate supporting the UDP (Urban Development Programme)
of All Saints Cathedral church, Nairobi. Holy Trinity Brussels is a mission partner
to the UDP. Isabelle is a regular visitor to our church: and a friend.
John
of the Cross (Spanish: San Juan de la Cruz; 1542 – 14 December 1591), Carmelite
friar and priest of Marrano origin, is a major figure of the Spanish
Counter-Reformation, a mystic and Roman Catholic saint. He is one of thirty-six
Doctors of the Church.
John
of the Cross is known especially for his writings. He was mentored by and
corresponded with the older Carmelite, Teresa of Avila. Both his poetry and his
studies on the development of the soul are considered the summit of mystical
Spanish literature and among the greatest works of all Spanish literature. He
was canonized by Pope Benedict XIII in 1726. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_of_the_Cross).
Solomon's
dream: the Lord appears to him; Solomon prays for wisdom
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