So God said to him: “Because you have asked for this– not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right– I do as you requested.
I give you a heart so wise and understanding
that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you.
On Thursday we heard the dying King David urge Solomon, his son and successor, to
"Keep the mandate of the Lord, your God, following his ways and observing his statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees as they are written in the law of Moses...
In today's first reading from the First Book of Kings, we learn of Solomon's obedience. He did not ask God for power, wealth, luxury or pleasure, nor even for a long healthy life. He asked for wisdom, especially the wisdom to govern wisely a large, diverse nation. Although Jerusalem was the capital of the Jewish nation and would boast of a majestic temple to honor the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, ancient pagan customs and foreign influences remained. Those things don't go away because someone wishes they would. The same book would remember Solomon's compromises.
But we can leave an assessment of Solomon to the merciful justice and just mercy of God. Our concern is to keep the mandate of the Lord and cultivate a wise and understanding heart.
If the polarized response to the Covid epidemic tells us anything, it's of the massive failure of education. Despite the emphasis in our schools on STEM -- science, technology, engineering, and mathematics -- millions of Americans seem to have little knowledge and less appreciation of the scientific method. If they learned it in high school the knowledge of double-blind, placebos, hypotheses and theories didn't survive their pepping for the football team and preening for the prom.
STEM, of course, is woefully inadequate. No one in a democracy should not know the basic functions of the federal, state, city, county, and township governments. A high school graduate should appreciate the emergence of democracy in a world governed by emperors and kings, and its struggle to survive against ideologies and totalitarian regimes. They should know something of economics more than balancing a checkbook. If they respect no religion at all they should still participate in the rite of voting.
Thomas Jefferson believed a democracy could prosper if its properly educated citizens understood its functioning and participate. If they don't care enough to vote, they don't deserve the privilege.
As I have met with Veterans in the VA substance abuse program, addressing issues of alcoholism and drug abuse, I have raised two questions. The first is a gift from our ancient Greek tradition; "How does one live a good life?" The other, of the more recent past, "Why should I not kill myself?"
Educators who teach wisdom address these questions in their social studies, nor can they be confined to the religion or philosophy classes. What is a good life? What are its criteria? Should we accept the popular standards of wealth, success, popularity, health, power, and so forth? How do we understand weakness, poverty, unpopularity, chronic illness, and failure? Are people afflicted with those ordinary experiences of every human not-good people?
Secondly, "Why should I not kill myself?" For what purpose freedom? What should I do with my freedom? Are space and the ability to do as I please freedom? Can one be free in company with others without limiting their freedom? Who sets me free and how should I set others free?
Education must address those questions. STEM assumes people have answered them. It assumes everyone agrees on the answers. It is not remotely prepared to address a society sorely divided by conflicting answers, but it is prepared to arm them for civil war.
Our faith insists, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." The Book of Wisdom gives another version of Solomon's prayer: "Give me Wisdom, the consort of your throne." She is more desirable than gold or silver, power or wealth, pleasure or luxury. She welcomes those who keep God's commands and seek her counsel.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.