Our Lady of Lourdes Church and School

“Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong. For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?” (1 Kings 3:9)

This prayer of Solomon is a profound expression of the inadequacy of the human person before many of the challenges life can serve up. In this particular case, Solomon understands very well his own self, and he appreciates the challenges that come with his accession to the throne. Solomon’s efforts became the stuff of lore in the writings of Israel, and his reign was written of fondly and with no greater praise with perhaps the single exception of the reign of David, his father. The “wisdom” of Solomon was renowned among the people and throughout the nations. Yet for all that, history has come to recognize the reign of Solomon as one in which the people were led astray from their faithful observance of their covenant with God, idol worship flourished and there was a plurality of values across the religious and political spectrum of Solomon’s time. The biblical narratives relate that Solomon had hundreds of wives, along with hundreds of concubines. He married princesses of neighboring countries and permitted them to practice worship of their own deities, and so introduced the worship of foreign gods among his people.

There are times when I wonder about this passage from the perspective of the one entrusted with the responsibility of being the pastor or shepherd within our little parish community. There are always decisions to be made. There’s rarely a day that goes by when something isn’t decided. Most days the decisions are regular, day-to-day, kind of things and don’t take that much energy or reflection. But there are other times when I do feel a little more like the Solomon of old and there’s a baby that needs dividing (1 Kings 3:16-28). Such are times when I need more prayer, time for reflection, and opportunity to discern what might be best for our parish going forward. I seek the counsel of friends, of trusted men and women who have experience and wisdom in matters often beyond my full understanding, and sometimes, I reach out to professionals when it’s appropriate. But at the end of the day, making decisions and choices for the good of the community can be a lonely reality. The proverbial “buck” has to stop somewhere. I have to say I am grateful to have a wide array of people with whom I can engage when discerning choices. Like Solomon, I trust that however brilliant or however terrible the choices and decisions may be, God will continue to refine and work and re-work them until God’s will is satisfied and served.

On a personal level, too, I think it’s always a good thing to develop a discernment process to allow for wisdom and understanding to become part of our everyday living, as well as the choices and decisions we make within our lives. For myself, I have learned that trying to make choices based on feelings alone, or on my own immediate needs is simply not enough. Good choices require good discernment. Developing a habit of discernment goes a long way to helping us to make good judgments for ourselves in life. It stands in sharp contrast to the popular slogan “Just do it”. Just because I can do something, just because I may do something, and even just because I want to do something, that’s not always enough when it comes to actually doing something. There is a lot to be said for spontaneity, but there’s also a lot to be said for taking the time and effort to make inspired choices, especially when those choices are of the variety that impact us into the future and mark our lives or the lives of others.

Within the Christian tradition, we have experience of a profound reality that always reminds us that it’s not just about ourselves. One of the first questions a process of discernment entails is consideration of what God wants for me, for my life, for my family. In this we take the same risk as Solomon of old… we invite God into our decision-making. I don’t mind saying that if Solomon’s life is anything to go by - that can lead to some very interesting experiences.