Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart
to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.
For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?"
First Book of Kings 3:9
At the end of Catholic Schools Week, many schools celebrate by inviting the grandparents in for the day and I am sure many marvel at the change in schools with the new technology available, smart boards, and access to the internet readily available. I often wonder, perhaps a sign of my age, if all the new-ness means we are better off than we were in our parents' and grandparents' days. In many ways, yes we are, but I wonder if children are being taught the importance of sound leadership?
Solomon, known for his wisdom, prayed before making decisions. In this verse, he is aware of his youth and humbly asks God for wisdom, including an understanding heart and the difference to know right from wrong, and to live rightly. Solomon is well aware that being a leader means serving his people, finding out their needs and leading efforts to help them, as opposed to other leaders of his day who would simply "lord it over them" meaning serving themselves as leaders.
I today will spend time praying for our current leaders in all facets of life, and hope that we don't suffer the affects like in the Gospel from today in Mark 6: they were like sheep without a shepherd..like people suffering from a lack of leadership.
