LESSONS FROM SOLOMON'S DOWNFALL (Thursday of Week 5 in Ordinary Time)

Описание: “When Solomon was old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods; and his heart was not true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David.” (1 Kings 11:4)

Our first reading today brings us to the evening of Solomon’s life. Like David, Solomon completely relaxed his moral guard, yet unlike David, Solomon wasn’t remorseful for once. Solomon never struggled for the throne; he never experienced the hardships David, his father, did. We often do not value whatever we receive on a platter of gold. Could this be why Jesus tested the Syrophoenician woman in today’s Gospel passage? Let us identify some lessons in today’s readings.

1. Learn to Manage Success: While we all dream of a life of success and unending leisure, the reality is that such a life is extremely difficult to maintain. It is easier to be successful than to remain successful. As Ed Sheeran once said, “We learn nothing from success, but we learn everything from our failures… There is nothing in success.” As you climb the ladder of success daily, remember to train your mind for the challenges that success brings. Know that the day you stop growing (when you assume you have arrived) is the day you begin to die, or even turn into something else. Do not let the dream you chase transform you into the person you currently detest.

2. Be Content, Seek Satisfaction in God: What was Solomon doing with seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines? Too much of anything is bad. St. Augustine would say: “Our hearts are restless until they rest in God.” To have God is to have everything. Never assume that the more you get, the merrier you become. “Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; for all that is in the world, the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, and the pride in riches comes not from the Father but from the world. And the world and its desire are passing away.” (1 John 2:15-17).

3. Stop Trying to Please Everybody: It was bad enough for Solomon to have so many wives, but he went as far as marrying foreign wives and even building temples for their gods. By so doing, Solomon’s heart was turned away from God. He forgot his covenant with God and lost the precious gift of wisdom he received at the beginning of his reign. Never equate your religion with that of others. Put God first; stop trying to please people. It is better to be hated for who you are than loved for who you are not.

4. Appreciate Your Days of Suffering: God appeared to Solomon twice to warn him, but Solomon remained adamant. Why did Solomon refuse to listen to God? He had no memories of hardship. Solomon had it all smooth. Is it tough for you right now? Trust God. He knows what He is doing. The same Jesus who raised a dead man to life after seeing his mother’s tears (Cf. Luke 7:12-15) made life tough for the Syrophoenician woman. If God delays in answering your prayer, it is not a sign of weakness, nor is it because your enemies are stronger. Keep on asking. Keep on hoping. Everything is still working for your good.

5. Stay Humble; Don’t Get Angry Too Quickly: Be inspired by the emotional intelligence of the Syrophoenician woman. Life is a game; understand the rules and play along. Jesus said, “Let the children first be fed, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Jesus’s statement might have put many people off, but this woman understood what Jesus meant, and she responded appropriately. She was not angry (or she successfully concealed her annoyance) for being referred to as a dog undeserving of the children’s bread.

6. Respect Your Parents: I saw a picture of a mouse feeding his children with crumbs of food. While the children complained, they couldn’t see that the mouse’s tail was tied to the mousetrap. Often, children do not know or appreciate the sacrifices their parents make for them. Today’s Gospel passage shows how much a true mother will go to save her daughter. It reminds us of Jairus, a synagogue official who knelt to beg Jesus to save his daughter. Don’t be an ungrateful child.

Let us pray: Keep your family safe, O Lord, with unfailing care, that, relying solely on the hope of heavenly grace, they may be defended always by your protection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Thursday of week 5 in Ordinary Time. Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: 1 Kings 11:4-13, Ps. 106:3-4,35-37,40, Mark 7:24-30)

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu