Daily Readings - Wed Feb 09 2022
1 Kings
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
Mark
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
In today's readings, we encounter two profound lessons that guide us toward a life of wisdom and purity. The first reading from 1 Kings tells the story of the Queen of Sheba, who, upon witnessing King Solomon's wisdom and the prosperity of his kingdom, recognizes the divine hand at work. Her visit highlights the theme of wisdom and divine favor, as Solomon's success is attributed to God's blessing. This narrative reminds us that true wisdom is a gift from God, leading to a life of justice and peace.
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus shifts our focus from external rituals to inner purity. He teaches that it is not what enters the body that defiles, but the evils that emerge from the heart—such as greed, deceit, and malice. Jesus emphasizes that true defilement comes from within, urging us to examine our thoughts and actions. This teaching challenges us to cultivate inner purity, recognizing that our external actions must stem from a heart aligned with God's will.
Connecting these readings, we see that true wisdom, as exemplified by Solomon, leads to a life of inner purity. The Queen of Sheba's acknowledgment of God's hand in Solomon's life illustrates that wisdom is not merely knowledge but a way of living that honors God. Jesus' teaching extends this by showing that wisdom must be lived out through a pure heart, resulting in actions that reflect love, compassion, and justice.
In our daily lives, let us seek wisdom that leads to inner purity. May we be mindful of our thoughts and actions, ensuring they reflect God's teachings. As we navigate life's challenges, may we strive to live with integrity, honesty, and justice, recognizing that true wisdom is a gift that transforms our hearts and actions, leading us to a life that glorifies God.