In the Hebrew Testament readings thus far, the tumultuous
life of David has ended and he has now gone to sleep with his ancestors.
Solomon, second son of David and Bathsheba, succeeds as heir to his father’s
throne. God loved David deeply and easily transferred that love to Solomon and,
in a dream, God asked what Solomon wanted. Solomon’s response, perhaps
surprising to us but very pleasing to God, was to ask for "an understanding mind" or, in other words, wisdom,
rather than the expected great wealth or even the death of his enemies. Solomon
wasn't always a paragon of virtue but he started out well.
Of
course, being intelligent isn't the same as having wisdom. We are told
that Solomon also asked specifically for "discernment between good and
evil" and that is a key element of wisdom. Following the “good” is the way
of the wise. Following the evil may seem an intelligent move to some as the way
of the shrewd, but it isn’t wise, and more importantly, it’s only a short-term
strategy. Evil ends with a mortal wound, the death of one’s self.
The
psalmist tells us that "the fear of the LORD is
the beginning of wisdom" but "fear" isn't meant as we use it
today as "to be frightened of." Rather it meant to have respect for,
reverence, or, to be in awe. It should be easy to reverence and be in awe of
our God whose work is full of majesty and splendor with
eternal righteousness, and who is gracious and full of compassion; and
even more so because our God has sent redemption to his people. The
redemption is in Christ who is the new manna from heaven that revives and saves
us from the deathly wounds we too often inflict upon ourselves.
Paul
urges caution in this life and is quite direct in telling us to live wisely. He
reminds us to "make the most of the time" we have and not "be
foolish” by being caught up in mere earth-bound pleasure. Anyone who has
watched a child grow, or sees how quickly the pages of the calendar turn,
understands the increasing speed of years passing in this human time. As my
grandmother used to say, "The days may be long, but the years are
short."
Christ
is not only the true food and true drink for eternal life,
this Living Bread fills us with divine purpose NOW, in this life,
as preparation for the next. It is time to remember to be in awe of God again,
to discover our own beginning of wisdom. Once we wise up and follow on the
path that Christ leads, then our renewable faith, especially in a community of
believers, will help keep us on track. When we stop on the path or
turn in a different direction, we can become lost and spiritually hungry. The
best way to continually renew our faith and satisfy our soul’s hunger is to
access the spiritual sustenance of the new manna, to eat of the Living Bread
from Heaven that is Jesus, in every bite of life. Whether you are connecting
with Jesus through a formal Communion in Church, through a visit from a lay or clergy Eucharistic Minister, or reach to him through prayer, he tells us: Whoever
eats of this bread will live forever. Now is a good time to begin again.
LET
US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ Holy and Living
God, let our hearts sing with the constant melody of gratitude for Your gift of
Jesus as our Bread of Eternal Life. Guide us that our every action is in harmony
with Your Will and in the name of our Lord Christ, the Son of Man.
Gracious, Compassionate Lord RESPONSE: Grant us wisdom with our faith
~
Holy and Living God, as Solomon requested, so do we ask of You to grant an
understanding mind and the ability to discern and choose good over evil, for
all who hold or aspire to governing authority across this Planet, in our
Nation, and in our Community. We pray especially for: add your own
petitions
Gracious, Compassionate Lord
Grant
us wisdom with our faith
~
Holy and Living God, grant hopeful relief to all who suffer in body, in spirit,
or in life circumstance, and times of rest to those entrusted with their care.
We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Gracious, Compassionate Lord
Grant
us wisdom with our faith
~
Holy and Living God, as loved ones fall to sleep with their ancestors, with joy,
through Your redemption, they awaken in the joyful courts of heaven to new life
forever after. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Gracious, Compassionate Lord
Grant
us wisdom with our faith
~
Holy and Living God, we pause in this moment to offer You our
other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud
or silently… add your own petitions
Gracious, Compassionate Lord
Grant
us wisdom with our faith
~
Holy and Living God, we offer our whole-hearted thanksgiving for those You have
chosen to inspire us by Your Word, to consecrate the precious Body and Blood,
and to guide us in the work You have given us to do. We pray especially
for: add your own petitions
Gracious, Compassionate Lord
Grant
us wisdom with our faith
The
Celebrant adds:
Almighty and Righteous God, fill us with the Spirit to live wisely now and with
Divine purpose, that in our brief time on this earth, we will continually
prepare to be raised to eternal life. We ask through Christ Jesus, our Living
Bread of Heaven; and the Holy Spirit, our unending Source of Wisdom; who
together with You reign as One God, for all time, now and forever. Amen.
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