What do you want?

“I know that I do not know.” This is one of the famous quotes of Socrates, and as they say, this was why he was considered a wise man – because he knew that he did not know everything. Today’s first reading shows us that at a very young age, even before God gave Samuel wisdom, he had a wise and good heart, because he asked God not for power or wealth, but for a heart that would know how to serve God and the people.

Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart
to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.
For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?"

Indeed, it is true what is written in the bible – “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you” (Matthew 6:33). God was pleased with Samuel’s heart, and gave him his desire, and much more.

he LORD was pleased that Solomon made this request.
So God said to him: "Because you have asked for this?
not for a long life for yourself,
nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies,
but for understanding so that you may know what is right?
I do as you requested. 
I give you a heart so wise and understanding
that there has never been anyone like you up to now,
and after you there will come no one to equal you.
In addition, I give you what you have not asked for,
such riches and glory that among kings there is not your like."

What if God asks you what you want, what will you tell him? Would it be to have a good and successful career? Would you like to get over that heartbreak you are in right now? Would you like to find that perfect partner God wants for you? Would you like to be healed of your sickness, or forget a painful memory? Would you ask for the power, influence and fame that people dream about?

Nowadays, there are a lot of things we want. However, we know from today’s reading that God is pleased with a humble heart, a heart that seeks to serve him, a heart that wants to know Him more. May we work towards this as we live our lives. May we strive to want to know Him more so we can serve Him more, knowing that it is the most important thing, and all things we need will be given as we serve and put our focus on Him.

The gospel reminds us how to have this heart. When he asked the disciples to rest for a while, it was not only physical rest he was talking about He wanted the disciples to recharge spiritually as well. We can have a heart that seeks to know and serve him by constantly making an effort to grow spiritually, to give importance to our spiritual life. May we see the importance of developing our spiritual life as well, having faith that with a strong spiritual life, we may not get exactly what we want right now, but we will be changed into what God created us to be, and we will realize that the most important thing is putting God in the center of our lives. As we live like this, we will see that he provides for everything else that we need to love and serve Him.

So again, what do you want?

God bless!