We have two beautiful readings given to us in today's Mass. The first is Solomon's prayer to the Lord; a prayer that comes from the depths of Solomon's heart, asking the Lord for the wisdom needed to accomplish the task God had placed before him. Solomon does not ask for wealth, more power, or fame, nor the heads of his enemies on a platter, unlike Herodias' daughter in yesterday's Gospel. Instead, Solomon's prayer for wisdom reveals the inner depths of his heart: he is wholly given over to doing God's will, and wants the wisdom which comes from God in order to do it well. God is pleased with this prayer and He responds to Solomon's request: "The LORD was pleased that Solomon made this request. 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.'" What is more, God would not allow Himself to be outdone in generosity, so He adds, "in addition, I give you what you have not asked for, such riches and glory that among kings there is not your like."In the Gospel Jesus takes the apostles to a deserted place so they may rest - an essential element for all who seek first the kingdom of God. We need to rest. The modern day concepts of "productivity" and "progress" (concepts which very few stop to really ponder) cannot be equated to the Gospel concept of "fruitfulness". We need to work hard in our day to day life, but we also need that rest which will strengthen us to continue the work of God in our lives (whether that means working in the world, in an office, at home with the kids, studying in school, or something else). Without that rest the "work of God" quickly degenerates into the "my work" and begins to bear little fruit. Rest means both physical and spiritual; it involves every dimension of the human person. Most everyone understands what physical rest implies (NB: sitting in front of the t.v. all day actually makes you more tired and drains you of creative energy), but spiritual rest means being with God, spending time with Him, not avoiding Him.
Today's Mass readings give us a nice conclusion to our extended meditation on the prophetic office of Christ, and the "prophetic vocation" we have received by the simple fact that we have been baptized. We not only noted the fact that Solomon turned to God to ask for wisdom, but before He turned to God in prayer Solomon's heart was already set like flint on accomplishing the will of God in his life. Solomon lived the Gospel precept "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides" (Mt 6:33), and we saw how this came to fruition in Solomon's life - God did not allow Himself to be outdone in generosity. When we give ourselves over to living as disciples and witnesses of Christ in whatever the circumstances of our life happen to be, God opens for us the hidden treasures of His kingdom. Finally, if we are to do the will of God, and do it well, we need to find the source of our strength in God; to rest in Him through prayer, listening, and adoration. To drive home this last point I will close with an analogy Father Raniero Cantalamessa, the preacher of the Pontifical Household, made in one of his meditations for Pope Benedict during this past Advent. It was made with particular reference to priests, but can be applied to anyone who follows Christ, first and foremost the priest:
"As in God the whole external work of creation, flows from his intimate life, 'from the incessant flow of his love,' and as all the activity of Christ flows from his uninterrupted dialogue with the Father, so all the works of a priest must be the prolongation of his union with Christ. 'As the Father sent me, even so I send you,' also means this: 'I came into the world without separating myself from the Father, you go into the world without separating yourselves from me.'
When this contact is interrupted, it is as when the electric current is cut off in a house and everything stops and is in darkness or, if it is a question of the water supply, the faucets no longer give water. One hears said sometimes: how can one be tranquil and pray when so many needs claim our presence? How can one not run when the house is burning? It is true, but imagine what would happen to a squadron of fire fighters that ran, to the sound of a siren, to extinguish a fire and then, arriving at the site, remembers that they have not even a drop of water in the tanks. This is how we are, when we run to preach or to another ministry empty of prayer and of the Holy Spirit."
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