Daily Readings - Thu Feb 13 2020

1 Kings

4For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.5For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.6And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father.7Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.8And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.9And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,10And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded.11Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.12Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.13Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen.

Mark

24And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid.25For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet:26The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.27But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.28And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.29And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.30And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.

Sermon

In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, persistence, and the consequences of our choices. The first reading from 1 Kings recounts the story of Solomon, who, despite his wisdom and the blessings he received from God, allowed his heart to be swayed by foreign influences and idolatry. This turning away from the Lord led to division and the eventual fracturing of his kingdom. The Gospel, on the other hand, presents us with a striking contrast: a Gentile woman, a Syrophoenician, who humbly and persistently seeks Jesus’ help for her daughter tormented by a demon. Her faith, despite initial hesitation from Jesus, ultimately prevails, and her daughter is healed. The context of these readings is crucial. Solomon’s story occurs at the end of his life, when he has already achieved great success and prosperity. His downfall comes not from external enemies but from within, as he allows his heart to grow distant from God. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of complacency and the importance of remaining faithful even in times of abundance. In the Gospel, the Syrophoenician woman’s story highlights the universality of God’s mercy and the power of persistent prayer. She does not let cultural or religious barriers stand in her way, and her humility and trust in Jesus are rewarded. These readings relate to each other in their emphasis on the importance of remaining faithful and open to God’s grace. Solomon’s failure to do so leads to division, while the Syrophoenician woman’s unwavering faith leads to healing and restoration. For us, these stories remind us to examine our own hearts and ensure that we are not allowing distractions or false idols to take precedence over our relationship with God. Like the Syrophoenician woman, we are called to approach God with humility and persistence, trusting in His mercy and love. As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: What are the “foreign influences” in our own lives that might be pulling us away from God? How can we cultivate the kind of faith and persistence demonstrated by the Syrophoenician woman? May we learn from Solomon’s mistakes and strive to keep our hearts focused on the Lord, even in the face of challenges or temptations. And may we, like the woman, trust in God’s boundless love and mercy, knowing that He desires to bring healing and wholeness to our lives.