The Noontimes

Wisdom 9: Prayer for Wisdom

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

A Favorite from November 11, 2010.

Inspired by 1 Kings 3:6-9, the writer of this prayer seeks wisdom in order that he might do God’s will; and he wishes to dispense justice as God does, with compassion and impartiality. He knows his human limitations well, and for that reason he hopes to tap into the divine place within where God speaks to the heart. The irony of this story is that Solomon ended his days out of touch with God. He allows his foreign wives to worship pagan gods. His mighty kingdom devolves into corruption and splinters. And the Hebrew people who followed Yahweh out of the desert to form the nation of Israel are later led into exile when the man for whom this prayer is named falls away from their covenant with God.

We are limited, we are human; yet when we call upon the divine we are wise beyond our humanity.

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Martin of Tours, a man born of non-Christian parents in the area of what is today eastern Europe in 316.  We know of him today because he turned away from military life to embrace the monastic life; and he became an exemplary pastor, a bishop and the founder of monasteries. He used the wisdom granted him to edify and to build God’s kingdom. El Greco, a Renaissance artist born in Crete but who lived in Spain, depicts Martin in the stylized, elongated mannerism for which he is famous.

We have the opportunity today to think about wisdom: How we pray for it, how we see it changing our lives, what we do when we receive it, and how we encourage it in others.

From today’s MAGNIFICAT Morning and Evening Intercessions: Save your people, Lord. 

In Saint Martin, you defeated the tempter in the desert: defeat in us the subtle forces of temptation.  Save your people, Lord. 

In Saint Martin, you taught love for the true treasures of heaven: keep us from attachment to material goods. Save your people, Lord. 

In Saint Martin, you exchanged military weapons for the weapons of the Gospel: in all those who died in military service, exchange suffering and death for life.  Save your people, Lord. 

Through the intercession of Saint Martin, let us pray: Lord, you hear the cry of the poor.

For those who pursue wealth and power at the expense of the poor: grant them the insight of the Gospel.  Lord, you hear the cry of the poor.

For those who regard the poor and homeless with indifference: grant them eyes to see you in their suffering.  Lord, you hear the cry of the poor.

For those who care for the poor without reward: grant them Saint Martin’s reward.  Lord, you hear the cry of the poor.

May Christ dwell in our hearts through faith, and may charity be the root and foundation of our life.    Amen.

Image from: https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.1164.html