Daily Readings - Tue Feb 06 2024
1 Kings
22And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven:23And he said, LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:27But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?28Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day:29That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place.30And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive.
Mark
1Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.2And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.3For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.4And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.5Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?6He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.7Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.8For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.9And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.10For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:11But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.12And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;13Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two profound reflections on worship, tradition, and the heart of faith. The first reading from 1 Kings presents Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the Temple, a moment of great solemnity and joy for the people of Israel. Solomon humbly acknowledges the impossibility of containing God within a building, yet he petitions God to hear the prayers of His people and to dwell among them. His prayer is a beautiful expression of reverence, trust, and the deep desire for God’s presence in their lives. The second reading from Mark’s Gospel shifts our focus to a confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees. The Pharisees criticize Jesus’ disciples for not following the traditional washing rituals before eating, but Jesus responds by exposing the hypocrisy of prioritizing human traditions over God’s commandments. He condemns their focus on external practices while neglecting the deeper truths of faith, love, and care for others.
These readings invite us to reflect on the relationship between worship, tradition, and the heart. In 1 Kings, Solomon’s prayer reminds us that true worship is not about a physical structure but about a living, dynamic relationship with God. The Temple was a symbol of God’s presence, but Solomon knew that God’s true dwelling place is in the hearts of His people. In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus challenges us to examine our own practices and priorities. The Pharisees were so focused on outward rituals that they lost sight of the commandments of love and compassion. Jesus calls us to move beyond superficial religiosity and to cultivate a faith that is rooted in sincerity, humility, and a genuine relationship with God.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are reminded to evaluate our own spiritual practices. Are we like the Pharisees, focusing on external appearances and traditions while neglecting the deeper demands of faith? Or are we like Solomon, humbly acknowledging God’s transcendence while seeking His presence in our lives? Let us strive to balance reverence for tradition with a heartfelt commitment to living out our faith. May we not forget that God desires not just our rituals but our whole hearts. In a world often preoccupied with appearances, may we cultivate a faith that is authentic, compassionate, and rooted in love for God and neighbor.