Being Careful What We Wish For

Preparing for the First Sunday after Christmas: One Day before Sunday (Year A)

Scripture

Psalter: Psalm 20

Old Testament: 1 Kings 3:5-14

Gospel: John 8:12-19

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Prayer

Gracious God, you have redeemed us through Jesus Christ,  the first-born of all creation, whose birth we celebrate as the child of Bethlehem. Bless us with every spiritual blessing, that we may live as your adopted children and witness to your glory with unending praise and thanksgiving. Amen.

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Reflection

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?”

10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this (1 Kings 5:7-10).

There are a myriad of jokes floating around about a genie being rousted from his lamp to offer the lucky person holding it three wishes. Below is one of many versions.

Three men are stuck on an island. One day, the three of them are walking along the beach and discover a magic lamp. They rub and rub, and sure enough, out pops a genie.

The genie says: “Since I can only grant three wishes, you may each have one.”

The first says: “I’ve been stuck here for years. I miss my family, my wife, and my life. I just want to go home.” Poof, he’s gone!

Then the second says: “I’ve been stuck here for years as well. I miss my family, my wife, and my life. I wish I could go home too.” Poof, he’s gone!

The third man starts crying uncontrollably. The genie asks: “My gosh! What’s the matter?”

The man whimpers: “I wish my friends were still here.”

We all have wishes. It may be for wealth, fame, or a brand new Lamborghini. We may also wish for more substantive things like health, and a good life for our children. Most of us are never confronted with being granted any wish we want, but Solomon is one of those few and fortunate.

In 1 Kings 3:5-14 the newly crowned King asks for wisdom. It appears from this passage that the young ruler wants to exercise power justly and wisely. The thought of ruling an entire kingdom must be overwhelming. He now has the power of life and death in his hands. He is now responsible for the fortunes of God’s people.

God appears to Solomon in a dream offering to give him whatever he wants. Solomon asks for wisdom. God grants his request, saying that because Solomon has not asked for wealth or long life, but rather for wisdom, he would be given not only wisdom, but also wealth and long life.

Whether Solomon employs that wisdom as king is another matter. One thing that must be remembered is that God may give gifts, but the one who receives the gift must use it. In my childhood, I had a Sunday school teacher who would tell us at times that Talent is what God gives to us. Using it is our gift to God. Wisdom is necessary for good and moral leadership. And wisdom cannot be utilized without good character.

Character counts. Wisdom is indispensable for good discernment. Let us wish for the right things.

PRAYER: Lord, fill our hearts with your love, and as you revealed to us by an angel the coming of your Son as man, so lead us through his suffering and death to the glory of his resurrection, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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Check out my reflections on some of the characters of the Old Testament here.