Daily Readings - Wed Feb 07 2018
First Reading - 1 Kings 10.1-10
1 Kings
1And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions.2And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.3And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not any thing hid from the king, which he told her not.4And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom, and the house that he had built,5And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.6And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom.7Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.8Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom.9Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice.10And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon.
Gospel - Mark 7.14-23
Mark
14And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:15There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.16If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.17And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.18And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;19Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?20And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.21For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,22Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:23All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on wisdom, purity, and the true source of defilement. In the First Reading, the Queen of Sheba is drawn to King Solomon’s wisdom and the prosperity of Israel, recognizing the blessings of God. She is overwhelmed by what she sees and hears, acknowledging that even the stories she had heard about Solomon’s wisdom did not do justice to the reality. Her visit highlights the universal appeal of wisdom and the way it can inspire awe and reverence. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches the crowd about what truly defiles a person. He emphasizes that it is not external things, like food, that make us unclean, but rather the evil that comes from within—thoughts and actions rooted in malice, greed, and deceit. Jesus is challenging the people to look inward, to recognize that true purity comes from the heart.
The connection between the two readings lies in their emphasis on wisdom and the interior life. The Queen of Sheba’s encounter with Solomon shows us the beauty of seeking wisdom and recognizing God’s work in the world. Solomon’s wisdom was not just intellectual knowledge but also a reflection of his relationship with God. Similarly, Jesus’ teaching calls us to examine our own hearts and to recognize that our actions and decisions are shaped by what is within us. The readings remind us that wisdom and purity are not just external practices but are deeply rooted in our relationship with God and our commitment to living according to His will.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Are we seeking wisdom in our own lives? Do we recognize the ways in which our thoughts and actions can either reflect or distort God’s love? The Queen of Sheba’s visit reminds us of the importance of openness and humility in seeking truth. Jesus’ teaching challenges us to look inward and to purify our hearts. May we strive to cultivate wisdom and integrity, knowing that true defilement comes not from outside but from the evil that can take root within us. Let us pray for the grace to live with hearts that are pure, wise, and fully surrendered to God.