Solomon’s Action

Synopsis     1Kings 8:54-63     4/9/2019 

As he dedicated the new temple, Solomon prayed on his knees. And then, after his prayer was finished, he rose from his place in front of the new bronze altar.  Afterward, he turned toward the people and declared God’s faithfulness to Israel. 

He admonished the people to remain wholly devoted to the Lord. And he offered communion offerings to the Lord on the new altar. The sacrifice was an enormous offering of oxen and sheep.  

Solomon’s Contemplation and Action 

What’s clear from Solomon”s prayer is that he knew God’s word as it was expressed in the Law of Moses. And his reflection, especially at the occasion of the dedication of the new temple, led him through the traditional moments of Lectio Divina, or “Sacred Reading”. 

His reflection represented a kind of meditation. And this was followed by expressed adoration. Finally, following a moment of contemplation, he rose and began acting through the process of his sacrificial offerings.  

Contemplation and Action 

There’s this debate with certain Catholic friends. Am I an active person or a contemplative person?  

It’s not that there isn’t some merit to the reflection. A person could have tendencies and dispositions that lean one way or the other. And it’s not wrong to think that each of us has a charism that can be described as contemplative or active. Even the religious orders often use such terminology to describe their various ways of life. 

But Lectio remains available to all. And maybe it’s better to say that Lectio is necessary for each of us as Christ-followers.

But for me, Lectio needs to lead to Actio.

“Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.” James 1:22