The Rev. René Constanza of the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Grand Rapids shared a reflection about the story of King Solomon and his petition to God for wisdom in the July 26 weekly church bulletin. 

Constanza wrote that at a young age, Solomon was given the weighty task of taking over for his father, King David of Israel. Overwhelmed by the magnitude of his duties, Solomon requested that God give him a unique gift. 

While he could have asked for things such as riches, victory over his enemies or even a long life, Solomon asked for something that had far more value to him. 

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“He asked God for an understanding heart that is able to distinguish between right and wrong,” Constanza wrote. “And the Lord God granted him his request by giving him a wise and understanding heart. Consequently, he became the wise King Solomon we have come to know in scriptures.”

As modern Christians, we also are given the gift of understanding from the Holy Spirit, Constanza wrote. 

“What Baptism initiates, Confirmation seals," he wrote. “The gifts are given not as self-serving rewards but for us to follow and imitate Jesus Christ. The gifts of wisdom and understanding complement each other.”

Wisdom permits us to discern reality that we see as we follow God, Constanza explained, adding that a wise person is not fearful of asking serious questions about life if it means that they are able to understand what God wants of us in life. 

“Yes, mistakes and bad decisions are made by everyone who is not perfect,” Constanza wrote. “Yet, the gift of wisdom helps us learn from experience and assists us to conform one’s life and future decisions closer to the way of Christ.”

As Catholics, Constanza wrote, we have the blessed sacraments to strengthen and encourage us to live a life that is glorifying to Christ and edifying for those around us.