Theme: Jesus, the wisdom of God; let us follow him.
Scripture: 1 King 10:1-10; Ps. 36:5-6, 30-31, 39, 40; Mk. 7:14-23
We hear the story of Queen of Sheba. (the present day Yemen). They were known for gold, spices and precious stones. She must have travelled 1500 miles (2400 kilometers). Although she was rich but she had difficult questions in her life. Solomon resolved all her questions. Thus displayed his wisdom. She also saw Solomon’s material prosperity; the palace, the food at the table, accommodation for his official, management of the staff, etiquette and mannerism and his religiosity. She admired his wisdom and material prosperity. She praised his wives and servants for being blessed with the gift of Solomon. But at the end, she realized that it was Solomon’s God who had granted him all His favours. The everlasting love of God had made him knowledgeable to rule the kingdom. She came to Jerusalem to see the riches, wisdom of Solomon but found the greatest treasure in God of Israel.
Look at the New Testament, Jesus spoke about Queen of Sheba as a witness of it. (Mt. 12:42) The scribes and Pharisees had asked for a sign from Jesus to believe in Him. Jesus condemned them for seeking the sign. He used two personalities of the Old Testament; Prophet Jonah and Queen of Sheba to prove them that they had evil desires. In both the cases, the pagans (people of Nineveh and Queen of Sheba) who had not known God were beneficiaries. Because they believed in the greatness of God. Jesus told them that He was greater than the wisdom of Solomon.
The text which we read today is considered to be the most revolutionary thought of Jesus during his time (Barkley). The Jews during the time of Jesus thought that outside things defiled them. But Jesus pointed out to them the things which come out from the man’s heart make him defile. Jesus listed out thirteen sins that sprung from the heart; evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. These sins put us out of the kingdom of God. Jesus changed the whole meaning of religion. There is something deeper than mere ritualism; love of God and love of neighbour.
Jesus is the wisdom of God. We need to come to Him like the Queen of Sheba. She came from the distant land, brought her riches, put all her difficult questions and took counsel for her daily living. Do we come to Jesus, the wisdom of God? Do we seek counsel from the Lord? Do we surrender all our riches (thoughts, talents, faculties) at his feet? Let Jesus, the wisdom of God rule over our lives.
Fr. Alex D’Mello
