Daily Meditation - Sunday 27July 2008 - THE GIFT GOD LONGS TO GIVE

[BarbaraTherese]

17th. Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Mass Readings & Meditation
Readings

Meditation

1 Kings 3:5,7

Have you ever noticed how this story starts out so differently than what we would normally expect?

• You would think that young King Solomon
• —not sure how to handle his new responsibilities—
• would seek out the Lord and ask him for help.

But it goes the other way around instead:

• God comes to Solomon first, and says, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you” (1 Kings 3:5).
• Does God really act this way?
• Or is this invitation meant only for his most valuable servants?
  The truth is, God loves to shower gifts on all of us—even more than we want to ask him for them!
• And there is one gift that God really loves to give us:
• the wisdom to know how to live a righteous life.
• That’s why he honored Solomon’s request in such a powerful way.

And he is anxious to give us his wisdom as well: “Be attentive to me, my people. . . . For law shall go forth from my presence, and my judgment, as the light of the peoples” (Isaiah 51:4).

• Just as you would never jump into a car without first learning how to drive,
• you really shouldn’t try to live your life without consulting your Creator!
• He is always eager to teach us his ways,
• if we take the time to listen:

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly” (James 1:5).

• Perhaps you have a decision to make, but you’re not sure which way to go.
• Come to the Lord in trust and surrender, and seek his face.
• Jesus is the wisdom from God, and he can help you (1 Corinthians 1:30).
• He doesn’t want you to be paralyzed by fear or indecision.
• So ask him to fill you with his Spirit; then listen for his still, small voice. He has the answer you’re looking for!
  “Lord, you promised that your servants would not walk in darkness but have the light of life (John 8:12). Light the path before me, and guide me in your truth.”