Show Notes
In this thirteenth week of “Ordinary” (or “Normal”) time, Case reflects on 1 Kings 2 and 3 and Solomon’s humility before God. He challenges us to ascribe to this humility and wisdom before God.
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Episode Transcript
Pope John Paul II addressed various aspects of the liturgical calendar, including ordinary time, through his teachings, homilies, and documents. In his apostolic letter, Dies Domini, the Day of the Lord, issued on July 5th, 1998, Pope John Paul II discussed the significance of Sunday, the Lord’s Day, which is celebrated throughout the liturgical year, including ordinary time.
He highlighted Sunday as a weekly Easter, a time to celebrate the resurrection of Christ and to live out the Christian faith in everyday life. This perspective ties into normal time, ordinary time, as it is a period for deepening one’s faith and growing in the daily practice of Christian virtue. Additionally, in his various homilies and addresses, Pope John Paul II often encouraged the faithful to see normal time as a valuable opportunity for spiritual growth and reflection on the teachings of Jesus. He emphasized that normal time is a period for living out the mystery of Christ in the ordinary moments of life, fostering a continuous and deepening relationship with God. May this be our aim as well.
A Reading from 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14
Then David slept with his ancestors and was buried in the city of David. The time that David reigned over Israel was forty years; he reigned seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. So Solomon sat on the throne of his father David, and his kingdom was firmly established.
Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David, except that he sacrificed and offered incense at the high places. The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the principal high place; Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 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 great people of yours?”
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. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor all your life; no other king shall compare with you. If you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your life.”
Solomon asked God, 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. Wow. He offers a moving example of humility and grace in his request. It takes one with a contrite heart to admit, I don’t know at all. I don’t know best. Help me God.
Many of you listening are in positions of leadership. Even if not the top leader, we all lead in various ways and certain responsibilities. Are you and me big enough in character and humility to know that we don’t know at all? Socrates said, I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing. And that is I know nothing. Albert Einstein. The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know. Voltaire. The more I read, the more I acquire. The more certain I am that I know nothing. William Shakespeare. The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool. If these great thinkers can make the same observation, can we? More importantly, would those around us ascribe to us the humility and wisdom of Solomon? Sure, that’s a big task, but not really. Even if our Jesus calls us to such, and he does, we are to become all the less so that he can become the greater.
The 111th Psalm.
Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the LORD is gracious and merciful. He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant. He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations. The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.
Please join me in prayer. Heavenly Father, we come before you with hearts seeking your grace and guidance. In a world that often values pride and self-sufficiency, we humbly ask for your help in cultivating true humility within us. Lord, grant us the wisdom to recognize our limitations and the courage to admit our weaknesses.
Teach us to see the value in others, to honor their strengths and to learn from their experiences. May we be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, reflecting your patience and love. Help us to let go of our need for recognition and praise, finding our worth and identity in your love and not the approval of others. Remind us Lord that we are but vessels of your grace and that all good things come from you.
Fill our hearts with a servant spirit, eager to serve rather than to be served. May we find joy in lifting others up and in putting their needs above our own. Let our actions be a testament to your humility, as demonstrated by Jesus, who humbled himself even to the point of death on a cross. Forgive us for the times we have acted out of pride or self-interest.
Cleanse our heart and renew a right spirit within us. Guide our steps, Lord, so that we may walk humbly with you, acknowledging that without you, we can do nothing. In your infinite mercy, help us to grow in humility every day, drawing closer to you and reflecting your love to the world around us. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
And finally, a reading from the ninth proverb, verses 1-6.
Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her animals; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her female servants; she calls from the highest places in the town, “You who are simple, turn in here!” To those without sense she says, “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Lay aside immaturity and live, and walk in the way of insight.”
