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As another school year draws near, I am reminded of a delightful story told about King Solomon in the Old Testament. The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and said to him, "What would you like me to give to you?"

After a lengthy pause, the king made his request: "Give your servant a heart to understand how to discern between good and evil, for who could govern this people of yours that is so great?"

God was pleased with his servant's humble request, and replied, "Since you have asked for this and not asked for a long life for yourself or riches or the lives of your enemies, but have asked for a discerning judgment for yourself, here and now I do what you ask. I give you a heart wise and shrewd as none before you has had and none will have after you" (1 Kings 3:10-14).

Solomon recognized the value of wisdom because he was virtuous -- and God showed His favor by blessing him!

In this age in which Christians are, at times, saturated with useless data, and living in a secular culture in which religious faith continues to recede into the background of the public square, the gift of divine wisdom must be earnestly and passionately desired.

The prevailing philosophy in many of our institutions of higher learning is moral relativism. In such a toxic climate, how can one possibly speak of wisdom and of truth? If "anything goes," can wisdom be the treasure Scripture deems it to be in any human life?

Such is the argument of the unbeliever, the secularist, the atheist.

St. Paul has given us a splendid reflection about Christ as the one "in whom every treasure of knowledge and wisdom is hidden" (Col 2:3) -- except to the eyes of faith. Moral wisdom must take seriously the formation of a Christian's personal character and holiness.

The wisdom Jesus imparts is eternal, because truth, which is of divine origin, is unchanging -- hardly a feature that would please a world fueled by constant novelty and change. Christ is, after all, "the way, the truth and the life" (Jn 14:6).

In my high school graduating class of 1972, there were a number of exceptionally intelligent students. They excelled in the classroom and went on to study at some of America's leading universities. But how many of them are favored with the wisdom spoken of by God to King Solomon?

In recent years I've learned, much to my dismay, that many no longer practice the faith. Some have abandoned the Church altogether. Too much knowledge can lead to pride, a condescending attitude toward others and a scornful dismissal of those who embrace the Catholic faith.

Being smart does not necessarily lead to a love of wisdom. Nor is the successful person guaranteed a virtuous life, or even given a free pass to heaven! Indeed, some of my classmates whose class rank was near or at the bottom of the list have shown considerable wisdom. They have remained close to the true source of wisdom: the Lord Jesus.

For many young people today, the sole aim of education seems to be to enable the student to earn a degree and then be eligible for a high-paying job. Wisdom must take a back seat to material comforts, possible fame and the lure of power.

Education is useful only if it allows the young person to achieve those lofty goals which, in the end, may turn to be unsatisfactory, even a curse. Living the faith in a way acceptable to our Lord is not even a consideration.

Like the revered King Solomon, let us pray that divine wisdom governs our life and prepares us for the life to come.

(Father Yanas is pastor of Sacred Heart parish in Troy.)[[In-content Ad]]

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