Word on Fire is brought to you by Catholic Cemetery's, serving the Chicago area since 1837.

This is Cardinal Francis George, and I invite you to join me for the next few minutes to

reflect with Father Robert Barron on the Word of God, which is the Word on Fire.

Father Barron will challenge us to open our hearts to the Word on Fire, which is God's

Word of Love for each of us.

If our hearts are open, the Lord can change and transform us, who will we might speak with

love about the One who is love.

The Archdiocese of Chicago through the generosity of Sacred Heart Parish and Winnicka now presents

the Word on Fire.

Peace be with you.

Friends, our first reading for this week is from the first book of Kings, and it has

to do with Solomon, the son of David and Beth Sheba, the Israelite King who built the

Great Temple in Jerusalem.

But our passage takes us back to the very beginning of Solomon's reign.

When he was just a young man, untried, inexperienced, likely beset by all sorts of self-doubt,

imagine you're a young king, you've succeeded your great father, David.

It's your need to wonder, do I have what it takes, am I up to this challenge?

The reading tells us that Yahweh appeared to Solomon in a dream and said, ask something

of me and I will give it to you.

Now I submit to you, that's an extraordinary moment.

God offering you like a genie, anything you want.

Now here's the point.

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