I Kings 10:9-11:27

Hook

We gather today in a space of reflection, a moment carved out to honor the intricate tapestry of memory and meaning. This time is for those who feel the gentle pull of remembrance, a quiet invitation to connect with the legacies that shape us. Perhaps you are marking an anniversary, a birthday, or simply a day when the presence of someone dear feels particularly close. This occasion is an on-ramp, a gentle invitation to engage with the echoes of the past, to find wisdom and solace in the stories that continue to resonate. We hold this space for the journey of memory, acknowledging that each path is unique, each encounter with the past a deeply personal experience.

Text Snapshot

From the ancient scrolls of I Kings, we draw forth verses that speak to the vastness of human endeavor and the profound currents of divine will.

The queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s fame, through the name of GOD, and she came to test him with hard questions. She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large retinue, with camels bearing spices, a great quantity of gold, and precious stones. When she came to Solomon, she asked him all that she had in mind. Solomon had answers for all her questions; there was nothing that the king did not know, [nothing] to which he could not give her an answer. When the queen of Sheba observed all of Solomon’s wisdom, and the palace he had built, the fare of his table, the seating of his courtiers, the service and attire of his attendants, and his wine service, and the burnt offerings that he offered at the House of GOD, she was left breathless. She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own land about you and your wisdom was true. But I did not believe the reports until I came and saw with my own eyes that not even the half had been told me; your wisdom and wealth surpass the reports that I heard. How fortunate are your people and how fortunate are these your courtiers, who are always in attendance on you and can hear your wisdom! Praised be the ETERNAL your God, who delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel. It is because of GOD’s everlasting love for Israel that you were made king—to administer justice and righteousness.”

Later, we read of the profound shifts and consequences that arose from Solomon's choices:

"God was angry with Solomon, because his heart turned away from the ETERNAL, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice and had commanded him about this matter, not to follow other gods; he did not obey what GOD had commanded. And GOD said to Solomon, 'Because you are guilty of this—you have not kept My covenant and the laws that I enjoined upon you—I will tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your servants. But, for the sake of your father David, I will not do it in your lifetime; I will tear it away from your son. However, I will not tear away the whole kingdom; I will give your son one tribe, for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem that I have chosen.'”

And in a moment of prophetic revelation:

The prophet Ahijah of Shiloh met him on the way. He had put on a new robe; and when the two were alone in the open country, Ahijah took hold of the new robe he was wearing and tore it into twelve pieces. “Take ten pieces,” he said to Jeroboam. “For thus said the ETERNAL, the God of Israel: I am about to tear the kingdom out of Solomon’s hands, and I will give you ten tribes. But one tribe shall remain his—for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city that I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel. For they have forsaken Me; they have worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Phoenicians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Milcom the god of the Ammonites; they have not walked in My ways, or done what is pleasing to Me, or [kept] My laws and rules, as his father David did. However, I will not take the entire kingdom away from him, but will keep him as ruler as long as he lives for the sake of My servant David whom I chose, and who kept My commandments and My laws. But I will take the kingship out of the hands of his son and give it to you—the ten tribes. To his son I will give one tribe, so that there may be a lamp for My servant David forever before Me in Jerusalem—the city where I have chosen to establish My name."

Kavvanah

This ritual is an act of attuning ourselves to the subtle wisdom that resides within the stories of our lives and the lives of those who came before us. Our intention, our kavvanah, is to open ourselves to the multifaceted nature of legacy. Just as the queen of Sheba was awestruck by Solomon's wisdom and wealth, we, too, can be moved by the remarkable qualities and enduring impact of those we remember. We acknowledge that life, like Solomon's reign, is a complex narrative, filled with brilliance, with challenges, and with moments of profound consequence.

Our kavvanah today is to embrace this complexity with an open heart. We seek to honor the fullness of the individuals we remember, not just their triumphs or their perceived perfections, but the entirety of their human experience. We recognize that even in moments of deviation, as seen in Solomon's later years, there is a deeper unfolding of narrative, a divine purpose that may not always be immediately apparent.

We also intend to connect with the concept of enduring love and covenant, as expressed through the "everlasting love for Israel" that the queen of Sheba extols. This love, this connection, can be a source of strength and continuity for us as well. Our kavvanah is to feel the thread of connection that binds us to the past, to the wisdom that has been passed down, and to the enduring presence of love that transcends time. We are not solely defined by what was lost, but by the enduring resonance of what was given, what was built, and what continues to inspire. We aim to cultivate a sense of hopeful gratitude for the gifts of wisdom, resilience, and love that have shaped our own journeys, acknowledging that these legacies, like the chosen city of Jerusalem, continue to hold a sacred place in our hearts.

Insight 1: The Brilliance and the Shadows

The narrative of Solomon presents us with a vivid contrast: immense wisdom and unparalleled material prosperity, juxtaposed with a turning away from core principles in his later years. As we reflect on those we remember, we can acknowledge that they, too, were complex beings. They likely possessed extraordinary gifts and brought immense light into the world, yet also navigated their own internal struggles and made choices that had consequences. Our kavvanah is to hold both the brilliance and the shadows with compassion and understanding. We can find meaning not only in the celebrated achievements but also in the human journey, the stumbles, and the lessons learned. This perspective allows for a more authentic and complete remembrance, honoring the full spectrum of their lives.

Insight 2: The Enduring Power of Covenant and Connection

The text speaks of "GOD’s everlasting love for Israel" as the foundation for Solomon’s reign. This concept of an enduring, unbreakable connection can be a powerful metaphor for our own relationships and legacies. Our kavvanah is to recognize the deep bonds that connect us to those we remember. This connection is not severed by absence but transformed. It is a covenant of love, a testament to the ways in which their presence, their teachings, and their spirit continue to shape us. We can draw strength and solace from this ongoing relationship, understanding that we are part of a continuum, a lineage of love and memory.

Insight 3: The Seeds of Future Generations

The prophetic tearing of the robe into twelve pieces, with ten pieces given to Jeroboam and one remaining for the lineage of David, speaks to the cyclical nature of life and the planting of seeds for future generations. Our kavvanah is to see our own lives and the lives of those we remember as part of this ongoing unfolding. The wisdom, the values, and the love that we carry forward are the "ten tribes" of our own legacy, influencing and shaping the world in ways we may not always fully comprehend. We are called to tend to these seeds, to nurture them, and to trust in the enduring power of continuity.

Practice

This practice is a gentle invitation to engage with the essence of memory, weaving together the tangible and the intangible. It is designed to be a brief, grounding experience, a way to offer a moment of dedicated attention.

The Candle of Resonance

We begin by selecting a candle. This candle can be a new one, or one that has been used in previous moments of remembrance. Its flame will serve as a focal point, a gentle beacon in our space.

Option 1: The Name Whispered and Held

• Action: Light the candle. As the flame flickers to life, softly speak the name of the person you are remembering. If you feel comfortable, you might whisper a single word that encapsulates a significant aspect of their being – perhaps "kindness," "laughter," "strength," or "wisdom."
• Reflection: Allow the word and the name to settle within you. Imagine the light of the candle as a representation of their enduring spirit. For the next minute, simply sit in quiet presence, allowing yourself to feel whatever arises. There is no need to force any particular emotion; simply be present with the memory.

Option 2: The Story Seed

• Action: Light the candle. Think of a single, small, yet potent memory you hold of this person. It could be a fleeting moment, a particular saying, or a shared experience that, though brief, holds significant meaning.
• Reflection: Briefly recount this memory to yourself, either silently or aloud. Focus on the sensory details – what did you see, hear, smell, feel? As you share this memory, imagine you are planting a seed of its essence into the flame of the candle. For the next minute, hold the intention that this seed of memory will continue to grow and offer nourishment to your spirit.

Option 3: The Legacy of Generosity

• Action: Light the candle. Consider the qualities or values that this person embodied, or the positive impact they had on the world. Think of a small act of generosity or kindness you can perform in their honor. This could be a physical act, such as donating a small item, or a more intangible one, like offering a word of encouragement to someone else.
• Reflection: As you commit to this act, visualize the light of the candle illuminating the path for this gesture of kindness. For the next minute, hold the intention that this small act will carry forward the spirit of generosity and love that the person you remember represented, creating ripples of positive impact in the world.

After your chosen practice:

• Gazing: Take a moment to gaze at the candle flame. Notice its steady glow, its warmth, its ephemeral dance. Consider what this flame represents to you in this moment – a connection, a memory, a continuing influence.
• Extinguishing: When you are ready, gently extinguish the flame. You can do this by blowing it out, using a snuffer, or a damp finger. As you do so, you might offer a silent blessing or a word of gratitude for the presence and legacy of the person you have honored.

Community

The journey of memory is often enriched when shared. While individual reflection is vital, connecting with others can offer solace, new perspectives, and a sense of shared experience.

Option 1: The Shared Story Circle (Even if Solo)

• Action: If you are gathered with others, invite each person to share, if they feel comfortable, a single word or a very brief anecdote (no more than 30 seconds) about the person being remembered. The focus is on a small, resonant detail rather than a lengthy recounting.
• If you are alone: Imagine you are part of a "shared story circle." You can do this by writing down your chosen word or brief anecdote on a piece of paper and placing it near the candle. You can also imagine a circle of light surrounding you, and in that light, you are sharing your memory with those who also hold this person dear. Even in solitude, this act can foster a sense of connection to a wider web of remembrance.

Option 2: The Echo of Support

• Action: If you are with others, you might collectively decide on a way to support each other in the coming days or weeks. This could be as simple as agreeing to send a text message of encouragement on a difficult day, or a shared commitment to revisiting a positive memory together.
• If you are alone: Consider reaching out to one trusted friend or family member with whom you can share a brief message about your remembrance today. It could be as simple as, "Thinking of [Name] today and how much they loved [activity/thing]. Sending you good thoughts." This small act of reaching out can open a door for reciprocal support and acknowledge the ripple effect of your memory.

Option 3: The Collective Act of Giving

• Action: If you are with others, you might collectively decide on a small, meaningful act of charity or kindness to perform in honor of the person or people being remembered. This could be donating to a cause they cared about, volunteering time, or performing a good deed in their name.
• If you are alone: Choose a small act of generosity for yourself or for another. This could be buying a coffee for a stranger, leaving a positive online review for a local business, or simply taking a few moments to appreciate something beautiful in your surroundings. As you perform this act, hold the intention that it carries forward the spirit of goodness and positive contribution that the person you remember embodied.

Takeaway

As we conclude this brief ritual, we carry with us the understanding that memory is not a static monument, but a living, breathing force. The wisdom and love of those who have shaped us continue to resonate, offering guidance, comfort, and inspiration. We have acknowledged the complexities of life, the interplay of light and shadow, and the enduring power of connection. Whether in solitude or in community, we have offered a moment of dedicated attention, planting seeds of remembrance and generosity. May the echoes of the past continue to illuminate your path forward, fostering hope without denial, and a deep appreciation for the legacy that unfolds within and around you.