Daily Readings - Sat Feb 05 2022
1 Kings
4And so, he went away to Gibeon, so that he might immolate there; for that was the greatest high place. Solomon offered upon that altar, at Gibeon, one thousand victims as holocausts5Then the Lord appeared to Solomon, through a dream in the night, saying, "Request whatever you wish, so that I may give it to you.6And Solomon said: "You have shown great mercy to your servant David, my father, because he walked in your sight in truth and justice, and with an upright heart before you. And you have kept your great mercy for him, and you have given him a son sitting upon his throne, just as it is this day7And now, O Lord God, you have caused your servant to reign in place of David, my father. But I am a small child, and I am ignorant of my entrance and departure8And your servant is in the midst of the people that you have chosen, an immense people, who are not able to be numbered or counted because of their multitude9Therefore, give to your servant a teachable heart, so that he may be able to judge your people, and to discern between good and evil. For who will be able to judge this people, your people, who are so many?10And the word was pleasing before the Lord, that Solomon had requested this kind of thing11And the Lord said to Solomon: "Since you have requested this word, and you have not asked for many days or for wealth for yourself, nor for the lives of your enemies, but instead you have requested for yourself wisdom in order to discern judgment12behold, I have done for you according to your words, and I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so much so that there has been no one like you before you, nor anyone who will rise up after you13But also the things for which you did not ask, I have given to you, namely wealth and glory, so that no one has been like you among the kings in the all days before
Mark
30And the Apostles, returning to Jesus, reported to him everything that they had done and taught31And he said to them, "Go out alone, into a deserted place, and rest for a little while." For there were so many who were coming and going, that they did not even have time to eat32And climbing into a boat, they went away to a deserted place alone33And they saw them going away, and many knew about it. And together they ran by foot from all the cities, and they arrived before them34And Jesus, going out, saw a great multitude. And he took pity on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound moments of faith and leadership. The first reading from 1 Kings 3:4-13 presents Solomon, the newly appointed king, who seeks wisdom from God. Recognizing his limitations, Solomon humbly asks for a discerning heart to lead God's people justly. God, pleased with Solomon's request, grants him not only wisdom but also wealth and glory. This passage underscores the importance of humility and seeking divine guidance in leadership.
The Gospel reading from Mark 6:30-34 shifts our focus to Jesus and His disciples. After a busy period of ministry, Jesus encourages the disciples to rest in a deserted place. However, their solitude is short-lived as crowds gather, and Jesus, with compassion, teaches them. This scene highlights the balance between rest and service, reminding us that even in rest, we are called to be attentive to the needs of others.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our own approach to life and faith. Like Solomon, we are called to seek wisdom and humility, recognizing our need for God's guidance. Like Jesus, we are reminded to trust in God's plan, even when our plans are interrupted. In our daily lives, let us embrace moments of rest to rejuvenate and listen to God's voice, while also being compassionate and present to those around us. May we prioritize spiritual growth and service, trusting that God will provide the wisdom and strength we need.