Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

“King Solomon explained everything she asked about, and there remained nothing hidden from him that he could not explain to her.”—1 Kings

After I read the account of the Queen of Sheba and her conversation with King Solomon, I think of the financially rich and influential people today. I am always amazed that this group are the ones who receive the free tickets to expensive games and elite concerts, as well as prime parking spots! Whereas, the ordinary people must pay full price. Obviously, this queen from Sheba (modern day Yemen) gives of her largesse to Solomon. However, what draws the queen to Solomon is not his wealth but the reputation of his wisdom. Notice how she is described: “(She) came to test him with subtle questions.” So, the queen recognizes the wisdom of Solomon.

    In today’s gospel, Marks tells us that Jesus is speaking to the crowd—a group of ordinary working people of Nazareth and nearby villages, people like us. Jesus explains to all of us that what we ingest in food and drink doesn’t defile our soul. What we say—our choice of words, our tone of voice—describes our character. In other words, Jesus is telling us that our words and actions come from our hearts. Are these words bitter, complaining, slanderous descriptions of other people that come from a sour person? Do our actions indicate prejudice, an elite bearing that spurns people?

    In his preaching and personal relationships Jesus never focuses on the negative. He doesn’t want us to flaunt our material success like the Queen of Sheba. He wants us to live the wisdom that God gave Solomon in abundance and has given each of us in Baptism. Wisdom is the meld of knowledge and love. When we possess wisdom, we have the ability to discern between right and wrong and live accordingly.

    Our friendship with God forms and nurtures wisdom in our daily lives. Being seriously aware of how we speak to people and how we make decisions, and then following through with our God-gifted wisdom is what Jesus is endorsing in this gospel reading. In today’s political and church atmosphere, we have ample opportunity to call on our gift of wisdom before we speak or write. 

     Praying with Scripture teaches us that we have free will. So, what do you like best about what comes from within you? What do you like least? How can you influence what comes from within?