Daily Readings - Wed Feb 07 2018

First Reading - 1 Kings 10.1-10

¹Then, too, the queen of Sheba, having heard of the fame of Solomon in the name of the Lord, arrived to test him with enigmas²And entering into Jerusalem with a great retinue, and with riches, and with camels carrying aromatics, and with an exceedingly great quantity of gold and precious stones, she went to king Solomon. And she spoke to him all that she held in her heart³And Solomon taught her, in all the words that she had proposed to him. There was not any word which was able to be hidden from the king, or which he did not answer for her⁴Then, when the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built⁵and the food of his table, and the dwelling places of his servants, and the rows of his ministers, and their apparel, and the cupbearers, and the holocausts that he was offering in the house of the Lord, she had no longer any spirit in her⁶And she said to the king: "The word is true, which I have heard in my own land⁷about your words and your wisdom. But I did not believe those who explained it to me, until I went myself and saw it with my own eyes. And I have discovered that the half of it has not been told to me: your wisdom and works are greater than the report that I have heard⁸Blessed are your men, and blessed are your servants, who stand before you always, and who hear your wisdom⁹Blessed is the Lord your God, whom you have greatly pleased, and who has placed you upon the throne of Israel. For the Lord loves Israel forever, and he has appointed you as king, so that you may accomplish judgment and justice.¹⁰Then she gave the king one hundred twenty talents of gold, and an exceedingly great amount of aromatics and precious stones. No greater quantity of aromatics was ever again brought forth as these, which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon

Gospel - Mark 7.14-23

Mark

Chapter 7

¹⁴And again, calling the crowd to him, he said to them: "Listen to me, all of you, and understand¹⁵There is nothing from outside a man which, by entering into him, is able to defile him. But the things which proceed from a man, these are what pollute a man¹⁶Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.¹⁷And when he had entered into the house, away from the crowd, his disciples questioned him about the parable¹⁸And he said to them: "So, are you also without prudence? Do you not understand that everything entering to a man from outside is not able to pollute him¹⁹For it does not enter into his heart, but into the gut, and it exits into the sewer, purging all foods.²⁰"But," he said "the things which go out from a man, these pollute a man²¹For from within, from the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders²²thefts, avarice, wickedness, deceitfulness, homosexuality, an evil eye, blasphemy, self-exaltation, foolishness²³All these evils proceed from within and pollute a man.

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on wisdom, purity, and the true source of defilement. In the First Reading, the Queen of Sheba is drawn to King Solomon’s wisdom and the prosperity of Israel, recognizing the blessings of God. She is overwhelmed by what she sees and hears, acknowledging that even the stories she had heard about Solomon’s wisdom did not do justice to the reality. Her visit highlights the universal appeal of wisdom and the way it can inspire awe and reverence. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches the crowd about what truly defiles a person. He emphasizes that it is not external things, like food, that make us unclean, but rather the evil that comes from within—thoughts and actions rooted in malice, greed, and deceit. Jesus is challenging the people to look inward, to recognize that true purity comes from the heart. The connection between the two readings lies in their emphasis on wisdom and the interior life. The Queen of Sheba’s encounter with Solomon shows us the beauty of seeking wisdom and recognizing God’s work in the world. Solomon’s wisdom was not just intellectual knowledge but also a reflection of his relationship with God. Similarly, Jesus’ teaching calls us to examine our own hearts and to recognize that our actions and decisions are shaped by what is within us. The readings remind us that wisdom and purity are not just external practices but are deeply rooted in our relationship with God and our commitment to living according to His will. As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Are we seeking wisdom in our own lives? Do we recognize the ways in which our thoughts and actions can either reflect or distort God’s love? The Queen of Sheba’s visit reminds us of the importance of openness and humility in seeking truth. Jesus’ teaching challenges us to look inward and to purify our hearts. May we strive to cultivate wisdom and integrity, knowing that true defilement comes not from outside but from the evil that can take root within us. Let us pray for the grace to live with hearts that are pure, wise, and fully surrendered to God.