[ Today's Readings ]
to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.
We think of wisdom when we think of Solomon. But do we think of this sort of wisdom? Probably not. We imagine him as clever, able to achieve and be successful. We think of wise leaders as leaders who know first and foremost how to get things done to ensure the happiness and safety of the people. Solomon asks for something which is prior in importance to that sort of ability. He asks for a wisdom of discernment to know right from wrong.
Within my heart I treasure your promise,
that I may not sin against you.
The wisdom that knows how to please God and act in conformity with his will is more important than wisdom which which allows one to get things done. Other wisdom might bring worldly success. But only in conformity with this wisdom do we bear fruit which lasts.
In the way of your decrees I rejoice,
as much as in all riches.
Solomon starts off on the right track but he eventually abandons this commitment to pursue the good. He leaves his people like sheep without a shepherd. Fortunately Jesus is moved with pity for us and wants to teach us this wisdom himself. He wants to inscribe it more deeply in us than it was in Solomon. He wants to write his law on our hearts.
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people (see Jeremiah 31:33).
We may not have all the time away with Jesus that we want. But he will teach us even when we're among the crowd. If we are able to come by ourselves to him in a deserted place let us take a while there to rest with him. Even when we aren't able, though, his heart is still so moved with compassion for us that he will teach us many things. He will fill us with wisdom which is greater than all riches.
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