GIVE ME WISDOM, SO I MAY KNOW WHAT IS PLEASING TO GOD

VATICAN CITY, JAN 29, 2003 (VIS) - Pope John Paul II welcomed several thousand pilgrims to the weekly general audience, held in the Paul VI Hall this morning, and focussed his catechesis on the canticle "Lord, give me wisdom," found in the ninth chapter of the Book of Wisdom of Solomon. Solomon, said the Pope, "in biblical tradition, is considered the just and wise king par excellence."

He explained that the Book of Wisdom is "a writing of the Old Testament composed in Greek, probably in Alexandria, Egypt, on the threshold of the Christian era. ... This book proposes to us basically three paths of theological thought: blessed immortality as the final destination of the existence of the just; wisdom as a divine gift and guide for the life and choices of the faithful; the history of salvation, above all the fundamental event of the exodus from Egyptian oppression, as a sign of struggle between good and evil, that flows into full salvation and redemption."

King Solomon, stated the Holy Father, in a "dream-revelation, at the request of God, Who invited him to ask for a gift, answered: give your servant a gentle heart so that he will know how to render justice to his people and know how to distinguish good from evil."

And, as we see in the canticle today, said John Paul II, King Solomon implored: "'Give me wisdom. ... Send her forth from the holy heavens and from thy throne send her forth'." This wisdom, "he added, "is not just knowledge or talent or skill, but rather is a sharing in the mind of God Himself. In fact King Solomon asks the Lord to send forth the gift of wisdom so that he may learn what is pleasing to God."

"Without this wisdom," remarked the Holy Father, "we amount to nothing. But with it we are guided to holiness and righteousness. It allows us to understand history, helping us to look beyond mere appearances and to appreciate the deepest meaning of life. With Solomon, let us beg the Lord for His gift of wisdom, to enlighten our hearts and minds in the ways that are pleasing to Him."

Let us view wisdom as Solomon did, concluded the Pope: "I loved her and sought her from my youth, and I desired to take her for my bride, and I became enamored of her beauty."

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