7th Sunday After Pentecost, July 27, 2014

Hebrew Bible Lesson: I Kings 3:5-12

 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I should give you.” And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you; and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?”

It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you.

Reflections: Solomon’s request and God’s response certainly fit our opening collect. Our prayers are usually for something. Ultimately, though, none of the things that can be objects of prayer really count. There is no guarantee our prayers or our faith will win us good success, health, or love. These things matter to us, but the gift God yearns to give us is . . . Godself. Solomon’s prayer was not for something, but for wisdom and understanding—for transformation. As the collect for the Fifth Sunday of Easter asserts, to know God truly is everlasting life…”