The Wisdom of a Compassionate Heart

Voice over by Carol San San Lwin

1Kgs 3:4-15, Psalm: 118, Mk 6:30-34

My dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

In our journey of faith, we are presented with two great gifts from God: the gift of wisdom to see the world as He sees it, and the gift of compassion to feel for the world as He feels for it. Today’s readings beautifully reveal that these two gifts are not separate, but are united in the very heart of God—a heart we are called to imitate.

In the First Book of Kings, the young Solomon, newly crowned, goes to Gibeon to offer sacrifice. In a dream, God appears to him and says, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.” Solomon’s response is a masterpiece of humility and love. He does not ask for long life, riches, or victory over his enemies. He says, “Give your servant an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.” Solomon recognizes that to govern well, he must first possess a heart that listens and understands. God is so pleased with this request for selfless wisdom that He grants it abundantly, adding riches and glory besides. True wisdom, this passage teaches, begins with a heart oriented toward the good of others.

This understanding heart finds its perfect embodiment in Jesus in the Gospel. The apostles have returned from their mission, eager to report all they have done and taught. Jesus, seeing their need for rest, invites them: “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” He cares for the caregivers. Yet, when they arrive, they find a vast crowd has already gathered. Mark tells us, “When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.”

Here is the divine wisdom of Solomon fused with divine compassion. Jesus sees the crowd’s deepest need—not just for physical healing, but for spiritual guidance. His “understanding heart” is “moved with pity.” His response is to give of Himself, to teach them, to feed them with the word of truth. He is the Shepherd-King they long for.

For us, the call is to cultivate both the wisdom of Solomon and the compassion of Christ. We must ask God for an “understanding heart”—not just for our own discernment, but to rightly judge how to serve our families, our colleagues, and our community. And we must allow our hearts to be “moved with pity” when we see confusion, loneliness, or need around us.

Pope Francis constantly echoes this Gospel scene, urging us to have a “Church that is a field hospital,” that reaches out with the healing balm of mercy. St. Teresa of Calcutta put it simply: “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”

Where is God calling you to exercise Solomon’s wisdom today? Perhaps in a difficult decision requiring discernment. Where is He calling you to show Christ’s compassion? Perhaps in patiently listening to someone who feels lost, or in setting aside your own plans to attend to another’s need.

Let us pray for the grace to receive both gifts: a wise heart that seeks God’s will, and a compassionate heart that mirrors His love. For in uniting wisdom and compassion, we truly become His presence in the world. Amen.

May God bless you all!