At Mass we give our petitions to the Lord. We ask for a blessed country, family and the repose of the souls of those who have died.
Solomon in our first scripture from 1 Kings 3:11-12 asks for understanding and God granted his wishes.
“So God said to him: Because you asked for this—you did not ask for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies—but you asked for discernment to know what is right—I now do as you request. I give you a heart so wise and discerning that there has never been anyone like you until now, nor after you will there be anyone to equal you.”
There is a pattern in how Solomon prayed which we will go over in a minute. God spoke to him in a dream. I had a friend one time who prayed that a woman who he was attracted at his work place become divorced so he could marry her. The woman was having marital troubles. Their relationship had grown but to nothing more than intellectual adultery which in itself was not good. He prayed for her divorce. He lived alone and one night when he slept he heard someone screaming in his ears and woke him up.
The voice simple said ” No !”
Dreams are very important in scripture. When God speaks to me it is not in dreams but in quiet times. We have to listen. God does not speak when you are talking. I always have to remind myself that He is in charge. There is time just before sleep and as I wake that I will go over a problem that I have. He also speaks to me in scripture and in the many reflections from A Catholic Moment and through the people I meet every day.
There is a pattern in how Solomon prayed.
1] Solomon learned from his father David’s example. He trusted God 1 Kings 3:3
2] Solomon gave thanks 1Kings 3:4. He sacrificed.
3] He recognized that he was the servant of God. 1 Kings 3:6
4] He waited on God who spoke to him in a dream 1 Kings 3:5 . There was no instant answer but he was patient.
5] God gave him more than he asked to receive. 1 Kings 3:13-14
6] Solomon gave thanks 1 Kings 3:15
Until recently my request of God was always nothing for myself but for anyone who needed my prayers the most. My wife and I learned Saturday of last week that our nine-year old granddaughter has mental health problems and might need drug therapy . Our prayers have all been for her since then. I do not have the answer, but there is hope.[Romans 8:20-26]
Prayer is what gives us hope. It is our connection to God. The man in the story above eventually met a woman who was his equal in every way and they have two fine sons. God’s plan hopefully for the other woman was for her to reconcile with her husband. Sometime we just don’t quite know how to pray or what to pray for and that is when I go to Romans.
There are no easy answers to life’s problems. Prayer is our life line and hope. We also know from Matthew 6:28-34 who also spoke of Solomon.
“Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin.But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them.If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil”
Jesus in the Gospel for today told the twelve apostles who had just come back from spreading the gospel to “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” and then Christ took piety on us “When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things’.
Pray for anyone reading this reflection that needs our prayers the most. Be quiet and listen. God knows what we need and who we love. He also loves them. He is in charge and we are not. Keep praying. [ 1 Thessalonians 1: 2-3 ]
God Bless
Bob Burford
Readings: 1 Kings 3:4-13; Psalm 119: 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14; Mark 6: 30-34
