Are old people wiser than others? Some think that just because a person has reached a certain age, or as some say, the person has eaten more salt or rice than others, then that person ought to be wiser than others. But as we have seen throughout history, old people are not necessarily wiser, since they may have not learnt from their mistakes, or they may have fallen away from their original path, and allowed themselves to be influenced by unwise ways.
In today's reading, we see an example of a person who had grown old, and was not wise in his actions and conduct. That person is King Solomon, who at an old age allowed his heart to be swayed to other gods because of his many wives. Even though the Lord had appeared twice to him, he still did what displeased the Lord. King Solomon had gained the reputation of being a wise king. But this gift of wisdom was the fruit of his faith in God. Now that wisdom and faith was lost, since he had turned away from the Lord and "became a follower of Astarte, the goddess of the Sidonians, and of Milcom, the Ammonite abomination. He did what was displeasing to the Lord, and was not a wholehearted follower of the Lord, as his father David had been."
What does this mean to us? It means that, even as we grow old, we must be cautious to remain steadfast, faithful and true to the ways of the Lord, and not allow ourselves to be swayed to other gods. Are we able to persevere in faith, and remain wise in following the Lord's ways?
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