Daily Readings - Thu Feb 08 2018
1 Kings
4For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.5For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.6So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and did not wholly follow the LORD, as David his father had done.7Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites, on the mountain east of Jerusalem.8And so he did for all his foreign wives, who made offerings and sacrificed to their gods.9And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice10and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods. But he did not keep what the LORD commanded.11Therefore the LORD said to Solomon, "Since this has been your practice and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and will give it to your servant.12Yet for the sake of David your father I will not do it in your days, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son.13However, I will not tear away all the kingdom, but I will give one tribe to your son, for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem that I have chosen."
Mark
24And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden.25But immediately a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet.26Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter.27And he said to her, "Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."28But she answered him, "Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs."29And he said to her, "For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter."30And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, persistence, and God’s boundless mercy. The first reading from 1 Kings recounts the story of King Solomon, who, despite his wisdom and divine favor, succumbs to idolatry influenced by his foreign wives. This leads to a fracture in his relationship with God, resulting in the division of his kingdom. The passage serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of turning away from God, even for those who have been greatly blessed.
The Gospel from Mark presents a stark contrast with the story of the Syro-Phoenician woman. Her daughter, tormented by a demon, finds hope in Jesus. Despite initial hesitation, Jesus is moved by her persistence and faith, healing her daughter. This encounter highlights the universality of God’s love, extending beyond cultural and religious boundaries. The woman’s unwavering faith and humility exemplify the kind of trust we are called to embrace.
These readings remind us that faith is not about deserving God’s favors but about trusting in His love. Solomon’s story warns against the idolatries of our modern world—be they materialism, pride, or complacency. The Syro-Phoenician woman teaches us to approach God with humility and persistence, knowing that His mercy is available to all. Let us, therefore, examine our hearts, reject any form of idolatry, and seek God with the same faith and perseverance, trusting in His loving providence.