Daily Readings - Sat Feb 03 2024
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 powerful moments of divine encounter and human response. In the First Reading from 1 Kings, Solomon, the newly anointed king of Israel, is met by God in a dream at Gibeon, the great high place. Solomon, humbled by the responsibility placed upon him, asks not for wealth, power, or the defeat of his enemies, but for a “teachable heart” and the wisdom to govern God’s people justly. This plea resonates deeply with God, who not only grants Solomon wisdom but also bestows upon him the gifts of wealth and glory. The reading reminds us that true leadership is rooted in humility and the desire to serve others with discernment and compassion.
In the Gospel, Mark paints a vivid picture of Jesus and his disciples. After a season of intense ministry, Jesus invites his disciples to rest in a deserted place. Yet, when they arrive, they find the place crowded with people seeking Jesus. Instead of turning them away, Jesus takes pity on the crowd, seeing them as “sheep without a shepherd.” He begins to teach them, addressing their spiritual hunger. This passage highlights Jesus’ deep compassion and his commitment to the well-being of those entrusted to his care. It also invites us to reflect on our own response to the needs of others, especially when we feel overwhelmed or in need of rest.
Both readings invite us to consider the qualities of wisdom and compassion. Solomon’s request for a teachable heart and Jesus’ tender care for the crowd remind us that true greatness lies not in power or possessions but in our ability to serve and love. In our daily lives, we are called to seek wisdom in our decisions and to approach others with the same compassion Jesus showed to the crowd. Let us ask for the grace to be humble leaders and loving servants, trusting that God will provide us with all we need to live as His people.