True Wisdom

Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator

Having finished reading first and second Samuel, the lectionary now moves to first and second Kings, books which record the histories of the kings that come after David, "a king after the Lord's own heart." We hear first of Solomon, son of David.

Our introduction to Solomon tells of his prayer to the Lord in which he requests the gift of wisdom. The prayer pleases God. Solomon could have asked for riches, a long life, or power over his enemies. Instead he asked for wisdom and was given this gift in addition to all the other things as well. Unfortunately, while this gift of wisdom may have been revered by his subjects and the rulers of the surrounding kingdoms, it did not extend to his relationship with God. In the end, Solomon turns from his worship of the one God. He allows his many wives to bring with them the gods and goddesses of their countries, thus polluting Israel and turning the country away from the first commandment upon which Israel was founded.

One of the beatitudes which St. Matthew places on the lips of Jesus is "Blessed are the single-hearted, for they shall see God." (Matthew 5:8) Some translations use the term "clean of heart" rather than "single-hearted." This beatitude as well as the story of Solomon reminds us of the priority which God must occupy in our lives. There are so many voices or sirens in the world of human congress that would draw us away from God, which would divide our heart. This is exactly what happened to Solomon the wise. In pursuing the glory of this world, he lost his direction. His failure leads directly to the division of the kingdom. After Solomon, Israel itself will never be one until after the Babylonian captivity.