Solomon
The Lord was pleased with his prayer for wisdom ! In I Kings chapter 3:5-14, 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 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… 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 ask for this-not for a long life for yourself, not for riches, nor for the life of your enemies, but for understanding that you may know what is right I will do as you requested. I will give you a heart so wise and so understanding so that there has never been anyone like you up till now, and after you there will come no one equal to you. In addition, I give you what you have not asked for; such riches and glory that among kings there is not your like. And if you follow me by keeping my statues and commandments, as you father David did, I will give you a long life.”
We know that Solomon did not live up to his promises to God in his later years, but at least he asked for the right thing-Wisdom !
Today most don’t have a clue as to what wisdom is so they do not ask for it. We have at our disposal more information than all of human history but I doubt that our wisdom exceeds that of ancient times. Intelligence and human knowledge gives us the ability to understand certain things, like the laws of nature and the mechanics of the human body etc. Wisdom makes sure that intelligence is put to proper use. Wisdom preserves us from human pitfalls and helps us put what is learned in every age to good rather than evil purposes because it is God centered and not focused on what humans think they need.
“But if any of you lacks wisdom let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given him.”
James I: 5
Wisdom is a gift from God. All the academic degrees in the world cannot confer any of it to us.
“But God has brought you into Unión with Christ Jesus, God has made Christ to be our wisdom; we become God’s holy people and are set free.”
I Cor. I: 30
As Knights, wisdom tells us that it is not only about going to church and praying, though that’s obviously a big part of being a Catholic. But it is also about taking things from scripture, a homily or church tradition and applying the works of mercy (faith, hope and charity) and serving God by helping our fellow man through contributions of time, work and financial help to serve the church and the community.
Wendell JeanPierre, Lecturer
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