Daily Readings - Wed Feb 07 2018
1 Kings
1When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relation to the name of the LORD, she came to test him with hard questions.2Arriving at Jerusalem with a very great caravan-with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones-she came to Solomon and talked with him about all that she had on her mind.3Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her.4When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built,5the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the LORD, she was overwhelmed.6She said to the king, "The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true.7But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard.8How happy your men must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom!9Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD's eternal love for Israel, he has made you king, to maintain justice and righteousness."10And she gave the king 120 talents of gold, large quantities of spices, and precious stones. Never again were so many spices brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
Mark
14Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, "Listen to me, everyone, and understand this.15Nothing outside a man can make him 'unclean' by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean.'"16Verse omitted from the New International Version17After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable.18"Are you so dull?" he asked. "Don't you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him 'unclean'?19For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body." (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods "clean.")20He went on: "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.'21For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,22greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.23All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.'"
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on wisdom, purity, and the true source of defilement. In the First Reading, the Queen of Sheba is drawn to King Solomon’s wisdom and the prosperity of Israel, recognizing the blessings of God. She is overwhelmed by what she sees and hears, acknowledging that even the stories she had heard about Solomon’s wisdom did not do justice to the reality. Her visit highlights the universal appeal of wisdom and the way it can inspire awe and reverence. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches the crowd about what truly defiles a person. He emphasizes that it is not external things, like food, that make us unclean, but rather the evil that comes from within—thoughts and actions rooted in malice, greed, and deceit. Jesus is challenging the people to look inward, to recognize that true purity comes from the heart.
The connection between the two readings lies in their emphasis on wisdom and the interior life. The Queen of Sheba’s encounter with Solomon shows us the beauty of seeking wisdom and recognizing God’s work in the world. Solomon’s wisdom was not just intellectual knowledge but also a reflection of his relationship with God. Similarly, Jesus’ teaching calls us to examine our own hearts and to recognize that our actions and decisions are shaped by what is within us. The readings remind us that wisdom and purity are not just external practices but are deeply rooted in our relationship with God and our commitment to living according to His will.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Are we seeking wisdom in our own lives? Do we recognize the ways in which our thoughts and actions can either reflect or distort God’s love? The Queen of Sheba’s visit reminds us of the importance of openness and humility in seeking truth. Jesus’ teaching challenges us to look inward and to purify our hearts. May we strive to cultivate wisdom and integrity, knowing that true defilement comes not from outside but from the evil that can take root within us. Let us pray for the grace to live with hearts that are pure, wise, and fully surrendered to God.