Eucharistic meditation

1 Kings 10: When the queen of Sheba perceived the wisdom of Solomon, the house he had built, the food of his table, the seating of his servants, the attendance of his waiters and their attire, his cupbearers, there was no more spirit in her.

As Pastor Sumpter has said, wisdom is a royal virtue. Kings need wisdom to judge and rule, builders need wisdom to harmonize material and craftsmen. Cooking is also for kings and queens, for cooks need wisdom to prepare and serve a meal.

The queen of Sheba is breathless when she sees Solomon’s wisdom on display, most especially at his court feasts. In the melody of a meal well served, she discerns a more than human wisdom, and she blesses the God of Israel.

This table of the greater Solomon also discloses God’s wisdom. Jesus gathers people from every tribe and tongue and nation. He catches us to heaven by His Spirit and He gives us His body and blood. Bread and wine, ordinary products of creation and cultivation, become communion with the Creator and one another.

As Jesus’ gests, we, like the queen, are left quite breathless: “Because the Father loved Israel, He made Jesus king, to do justice and righteousness forever.”