Daily Readings - Sat Feb 03 2018
1 Kings
4And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.5At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, "Ask what I shall give you."6And Solomon said, "You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day.7And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in.8And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude.9Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?"10It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.11And God said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right,12behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.13I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days.
Mark
30The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught.31And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.32And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.33Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them.34When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion 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, is met by God in a dream. Solomon humbly acknowledges his limitations as a young ruler and asks not for wealth, power, or vengeance, but for a “teachable heart” to judge God’s people wisely. This plea resonates deeply with God, who not only grants Solomon wisdom but also bestows upon him the gifts of wealth and glory. The Gospel from Mark presents a complementary scene: Jesus, seeing the crowds as “sheep without a shepherd,” takes pity on them and begins to teach them. Despite the Apostles’ need for rest, Jesus prioritizes the spiritual hunger of the people, embodying the selfless love of a shepherd.
The context of these readings reveals a common theme: the call to prioritize wisdom and compassion in leadership. Solomon’s request for wisdom is set against the backdrop of his new role as king, where the burden of responsibility for his people weighs heavily on him. Mark’s Gospel, on the other hand, highlights Jesus’ ministry of teaching and healing, emphasizing the importance of attending to the spiritual and emotional needs of others. Both readings remind us that true leadership is not about power or prestige but about serving others with humility and love.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on how we prioritize wisdom and compassion. Like Solomon, we may face moments of uncertainty or responsibility, and we are called to seek God’s guidance with humility. Like Jesus, we are challenged to look beyond our own needs and desires to serve others. Whether in our families, workplaces, or communities, we are all called to be shepherds in our own way, offering guidance, care, and love to those around us. The moral lesson here is clear: wisdom and compassion are not optional virtues but essential qualities for living a life that honors God and serves others. Let us, therefore, pray for the grace to seek wisdom and to love selflessly, just as Solomon and Jesus have shown us.