For the last few weeks, we’ve been hearing about the first kings of Ancient Israel in our first readings. We heard about how King Saul and King David became the first kings of Ancient Israel. Now, we hear about King Solomon, David’s son. At the time of this reading. Solomon is now King and David is living out his final days. David had planned on building a Temple in Jerusalem, but since he did not fulfill that task, it was left to Solomon.
Israel was warned about the dangers of having a king, but she was steadfast in her desire to be like the other nations around her. I think of Bishop Joseph Kopacz here in the Diocese of Jackson, of the many expectations and hopes people have of him, even the personal expectations I myself have, of the great respect I have for him. We hear Solomon make a prayer of gratitude to the Lord as he speaks to the people of Israel who are assembled, similar to the prayer of gratitude Bishop Kopacz made to us when he was installed as Bishop. I pray for Bishop Kopacz, for his leadership of our diocese. We pray that God give him strength and courage as he leads us as a shepherd, as our bishop.
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