Daily Catholic Mass Readings for February 10, 2022
First Reading: 1 Kings 11.4-13
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.
Psalm 106
1Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.2Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? who can shew forth all his praise?3Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.4Remember me, O LORD, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;5That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance.6We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.7Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea.8Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.9He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.10And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.11And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left.12Then believed they his words; they sang his praise.13They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel:14But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.15And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.16They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron the saint of the LORD.17The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram.18And a fire was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the wicked.19They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image.20Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass.21They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt;22Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red sea.23Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.24Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word:25But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD.26Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness:27To overthrow their seed also among the nations, and to scatter them in the lands.28They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.29Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them.30Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed.31And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore.32They angered him also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes:33Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips.34They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them:35But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.36And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them.37Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils,38And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.39Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.40Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.41And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them.42Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.43Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.44Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:45And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.46He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives.47Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise.48Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD.
Gospel: Mark 7.24-30
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
The readings today present us with two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, persistence, and the consequences of our choices. In the first reading, we see King Solomon, once a man of great wisdom and favor with God, now faltering because of his divided heart. Seduced by the idolatrous practices of his foreign wives, Solomon turns away from the Lord, despite the clear warnings and the covenant God had established with him. This story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of compromise and the importance of remaining faithful to God’s commandments. Solomon’s downfall reminds us that even the greatest among us can fall if we allow our hearts to be swayed by worldly allurements.
In the Gospel, we encounter a very different kind of faith. A Syro-Phoenician woman, a Gentile and an outsider, approaches Jesus with bold persistence, pleading for the healing of her demon-possessed daughter. Despite Jesus’ initial hesitation and the cultural barriers that might have discouraged her, the woman’s faith and determination prevail. Her humble yet unyielding response, “Even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs,” moves Jesus to grant her request. This exchange highlights the universal reach of God’s mercy and the transformative power of faith. The woman’s persistence teaches us that even when we feel unworthy or marginalized, we should never lose hope in God’s providence.
These readings invite us to examine our own hearts and lives. Like Solomon, we are called to remain steadfast in our commitment to God, avoiding the idols of our own time—whether they be wealth, power, or fleeting desires. At the same time, the Syro-Phoenician woman’s example encourages us to approach God with humility and perseverance, trusting in His love and mercy even when the odds seem against us. Let us ask ourselves: Are there areas in our lives where we have compromised our faith? Are there times when we have given up too easily, failing to trust in God’s plan? May these readings inspire us to renew our commitment to the Lord and to pray with the kind of faith that moves mountains.