Today’s readings provide both involve getting what we want.  Sometimes getting what we want does not deliver what we really need.     

The first reading culminates a series of readings about King Solomon.  Known for his wisdom and success in worldly affairs, Solomon had at least three visitations from God.  God first asked him what he wanted, and Solomon responded in great humility, asking for “a listening heart to judge your people and to distinguish between good and evil.”  See 1 Kings 3:9. This attitude greatly pleased the Lord, and he gave Solomon great wisdom and added riches and glory, too.  In the second visitation, God reminded Solomon to walk in his ways and follow his commands.  See 1 Kings 6:12. Likewise, in the third visitation he gave a similar exhortation accompanied with a warning: “[I]f ever you and your descendants turn from following me … and proceed to serve other gods and bow down to them, I will cut off Israel from the land….”  See 1 Kings 9:2-9.

Solomon may have been wise and otherwise gifted in worldly affairs, but he somehow failed to follow through on what he knew to be the good path.  The text in 1 Kings 11 says that Solomon’s “heart was not entirely with the Lord.”  Influences of foreign wives and their pagan Gods had something to do with this change of heart.  Marriage served diplomatic purposes in those times, strengthening Solomon’s alliances with foreign kings.  Women from foreign lands continued their native customs, including worship that included child sacrifice, a practice abhorrent to God.  Yet Solomon built temples for them, where such sacrifices occurred. 

It is tough to witness this descent, a corruption of virtue. Solomon dissipated the great gifts he had received.  He got what he wanted, but he did not intend the consequences.  His unfaithfulness (likely joined by others who may have followed his example) unleashed a torrent of bad consequences.  Notably, God showed mercy on account of his faithful father, David.  We should not ignore the possibility that our own cleverness and goodness may not account for the goodness we enjoy.  Mercy and grace may be at work, operating behind the scenes, coming our way because of parents and others who pray for us. (And before we think modern humanity is too advanced and sophisticated to build temples to no-gods and sacrifice children to them, recall that the leading cause of death worldwide is abortion.)

Today’s gospel presents another perspective on someone getting what they want, where only goodness and mercy are being dispensed.  The Syrophoenician woman sought out Jesus on behalf of her daughter.  She knew that her daughter needed what only Jesus could offer.  Jesus tested her and found faith. He honored her request. 

We don’t know what ultimately happened to this woman or her family.  Hopefully relief from demonic oppression allowed her to flourish and to continue to live a faith-filled life.  But Solomon’s example shows us that the life of faith to which we are called is continuous, not episodic.  God is patient with us, showing mercy toward our infidelity and errors, but we should not mistake his patient endurance as confirmation that we can live as we please.  We cannot live unfaithfully with impunity. Sadly, the unfaithful choices we profess to value so much do not bring the satisfaction and joy we desire.  Only a faithful choice, as shown by the Syrophoenician woman, leads to true joy and fulfillment.

Lord, help us grow in our faith.  Let us learn from both of these examples.  Awaken us from complacency and allow us to encourage one another to follow you closely.  Thanks be to God.