Our two readings today can help us to prepare for the coming season of Lent, the time when we seek an ever-deeper conversion of heart. Solomon is on his deathbed. The great promise of his reign of peace and his gift of wisdom is disintegrating before his very eyes. Because of his many wives he has been unfaithful to Yahweh, and has worshipped the idols of their pagan tribes. Now only one Jewish tribe, Judah, is to be left to his son and heir.

And yet there is hope in this tragic situation. Because of David, his father, the tribe of Judah will bring forth Jesus, who is to save His people and realize all Solomon's deepest dreams of wisdom. If only Solomon had humbled himself, like the Syrophoenician woman in the gospel, God would have transformed tragedy into victory.

What about you and me? We too make mistakes - sometimes great mistakes - in our life. We fail God as Solomon did. Can we also be like the Gentile woman (the Jews referred to the Gentiles as "dogs") and beg for the crumbs from Jesus' table as she did? In the mysterious kingdom which Jesus proclaims, this is the paradoxical road to glory. And Lent is the time to humble ourselves, admit our weakness, and acknowledge that everything is gift. Then the joy of the Gentile woman can be ours too!