Jesus testified that the queen of Sheba, that is, "the queen of the South," "came from the farthest corner of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon" (Mt 12:42). She had a strong desire to listen to the wisdom of Israel as spoken through Solomon (2 Chr 9:1-2). She willingly suffered the rigors, hardships, and expenses of long-distance travel in the arid, ancient world to find this wisdom (1 Kgs 10:1ff). Jesus approved of her quest, and inferred that she "will rise at the judgment" and find eternal life (Lk 11:31). Isaiah prophesied that "all from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the Lord" (Is 60:6). In the spirit of their queen, the people of Sheba travel a long way to seek God's wisdom and bring Him gifts.

Another group of travelers from the East later sought the Lord and His wisdom, and brought gifts of gold and frankincense (Mt 2:11). They also sought the Lord in the spirit of the queen of Sheba. They are known even today as "wise men." Their true wisdom comes not from their IQs, but because they were wise enough to seek God, no matter how difficult the journey.

The above pilgrims spared no pains to seek God and His wisdom. They found what they were seeking (see Mt 7:7). By comparison, how much do we want God's wisdom? To seek God's wisdom today, we need only sit at home and read our Bibles or hop in our cars and go to Mass. Will we pay the price to seek God as they did? As Jesus commented, these travelers will rise at the judgment along with us. With Jesus, they will judge others (see Lk 11:31-32). How will they judge us?

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 26, 2009

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