Daily Readings - Wed Feb 09 2022
1 Kings
1Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with hard questions.2She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels bearing spices and very much gold and precious stones. And when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind.3And Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her.4And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built,5the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the LORD, there was no more breath in her.6And she said to the king, "The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom,7but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report that I heard.8Happy are your men! Happy are your servants, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom!9Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the LORD loved Israel forever, he has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness."10Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, and a very great quantity of spices and precious stones. Never again came such an abundance of spices as these that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
Mark
14And he called the people to him again and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand:15There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him."16See Footnote17And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable.18And he said to them, "Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him,19since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?" (Thus he declared all foods clean.)20And he said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him.21For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,22coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.23All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."
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.