Daily Readings - Thu Feb 08 2024
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 distinct narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, trust, and the complexities of the human heart. The first reading from 1 Kings recounts the story of King Solomon, who, despite his wisdom and the blessings he received from God, allowed his heart to be swayed by foreign influences and idolatry. This led to a division in his kingdom, as God, who had once promised Solomon great things, now tore it apart due to his infidelity. The second reading from Mark’s Gospel presents a stark contrast, as we see Jesus, the Messiah, extending his compassion and healing power to a Gentile woman and her daughter. This woman, though initially rebuffed, persists in her faith and receives the miracle she seeks.
The context of these readings reveals the tension between faithfulness and infidelity, trust and doubt. In the case of Solomon, we see how even the wisest and most privileged among us can falter when we allow our hearts to be divided. His story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of compromising our faith for the sake of worldly allurements. On the other hand, the Syro-Phoenician woman in the Gospel exemplifies unwavering faith and humility. Though she is an outsider, she recognizes Jesus’ authority and persists in her plea, trusting that God’s mercy extends beyond the boundaries of her circumstances.
These readings call us to examine our own hearts and lives. Like Solomon, we may find ourselves tempted to prioritize worldly comforts or distractions over our relationship with God. Yet, the Gentile woman reminds us that true faith is not about deserving God’s favor but about trusting in His goodness and providence, even when the odds seem against us. Let us strive to remain faithful, to seek God with persistence, and to trust in His plan, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. May we, like the woman, find the courage to approach God with humility and confidence, knowing that His love and mercy are available to all who seek Him.