Solomon has it all! He even has God talking to him in his dreams! His dreaming self hears the question God is always asking, “What is it that you want?” When we wake up, of course, the question is harder than it looks. Why? Because it can only be answered with great care. The word we speak coming straight from our heart.
I know a lot of jokes about genies wriggling out of bottles or fairies swooshing their wands, who ask the lucky finder the same question. Usually, the answer is a request for endless wealth. Solomon does not need to ask for what he already has, so he asks God for the gift of ‘Wisdom’. A Wisdom that supports a community to grow. A Wisdom for relating! Notice how this stirs surprise and delight in Gods’ own heart. And God is delighted to answer this prayer. The Psalmist must have had a similar experience. You can hear it as she sings, “The law from your mouth means more to me than silver or gold.” Or in the words and experience of Saint Paul, God adorns us in Glory. What are they all telling us? What lesson can be learned here?
First of all, something happens. A baby looks at you and smiles and, no matter what you’re feeling, you just have to smile back. Because, first of all, something happens. You’re standing at a graveside, tears your only prayer, as the storm of grief rages from your heart to your eyes. Someone takes your hand and joins you in that lonely place which is now less lonely. First of all, something happens. A secret weakness is exposed, but the support of a good friend is stronger than the shame that threatens to engulf us. First of all, something happens. We are unexpectedly kissed; we see an old person refusing to be old. First of all, something happens.
These are the ‘moments’ that throw us into the Mystery we share with each other. We are suddenly face to face with the Presence within which we live our lives. God does not wait for a suitable moment or for a polite introduction. His presence breaks through our routines, demanding our attention, insisting that we talk. When God speaks, we may laugh or cry, we might sing or fall silent. But whatever we do we are praying at our best. The ‘moment’ the ‘encounter’ has changed everything.
We pray for the coming of God’s Kingdom. But when it arrives it is always a surprise! In farming a field, a treasure is stumbled upon. A door opens and the perfect pearl is for sale. Out of nowhere there is a gold embossed invitation to the Kings’ Banquet! Every genuine encounter with Jesus is always a surprise. Lawyers who expected justification are challenged. A rich young man asks for advice and is offered a vocation. Zacchaeus, hoping for a glimpse of a prophet, dines with his Saviour. A woman at a well leaves with a bucket full of self-revelation. All of them got more than they asked for. Their emptiness suddenly brimming over, their ravaged lives called to greatness.
These experiences bring us to prayer. Our own story now made more by our encounter with Jesus. We begin to make links with the Prophets and disciples who have gone before us. In their company, old worlds are subverted, new worlds rise from the ruins. We are blessed by a Love stronger than death. We are suddenly filled with a new confidence. We have become the prayer
