Daily Readings - Sat Feb 03 2024
1 Kings
4And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.5In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.6And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.7And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.8And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.9Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?10And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.11And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;12Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.13And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.
Mark
30And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.31And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.32And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.33And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.34And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful moments of divine encounter and human response. In the First Reading from 1 Kings, Solomon, the newly anointed king of Israel, is met by God in a dream at Gibeon, the great high place. Solomon, humbled by the responsibility placed upon him, asks not for wealth, power, or the defeat of his enemies, but for a “teachable heart” and the wisdom to govern God’s people justly. This plea resonates deeply with God, who not only grants Solomon wisdom but also bestows upon him the gifts of wealth and glory. The reading reminds us that true leadership is rooted in humility and the desire to serve others with discernment and compassion.
In the Gospel, Mark paints a vivid picture of Jesus and his disciples. After a season of intense ministry, Jesus invites his disciples to rest in a deserted place. Yet, when they arrive, they find the place crowded with people seeking Jesus. Instead of turning them away, Jesus takes pity on the crowd, seeing them as “sheep without a shepherd.” He begins to teach them, addressing their spiritual hunger. This passage highlights Jesus’ deep compassion and his commitment to the well-being of those entrusted to his care. It also invites us to reflect on our own response to the needs of others, especially when we feel overwhelmed or in need of rest.
Both readings invite us to consider the qualities of wisdom and compassion. Solomon’s request for a teachable heart and Jesus’ tender care for the crowd remind us that true greatness lies not in power or possessions but in our ability to serve and love. In our daily lives, we are called to seek wisdom in our decisions and to approach others with the same compassion Jesus showed to the crowd. Let us ask for the grace to be humble leaders and loving servants, trusting that God will provide us with all we need to live as His people.