Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

A Servant Heart of Understanding

Our world today needs the wisdom of Solomon! When Solomon realized that he had inherited tremendous responsibility in succeeding King David, in leading a chosen people—numerous and vast—he first prayed. “Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.”

The Scripture tells us that the Lord was pleased that Solomon asked for this servant heart of understanding.  So God said to him:

Because you have asked for this—not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right—I do as you requested. I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you.

There are so many things that surfaced in me as I read this. What would it be like if every time we were faced with enormous responsibility for leading—as a parent, teacher, boss, political leader, pastor, or other religious leader—we prayed first for wisdom and understanding. Understanding requires that we listen first and that we pay attention to what is happening. The discipline of listening develops our heart muscle—a capacity for understanding that is both wise and heartfelt.

Jesus’ parables about finding the pearl of great price and selling all in order to find the treasure likewise remind us that wisdom and understanding lead us to recognize the true pearls in our lives:  truth, mercy, and joy. At the heart of it all is Jesus, the one who continues to teach us all to lead with a servant heart.

Are we listening and asking for just that?