Daily Readings - Wed Feb 09 2022
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.
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
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.