Daily Readings - Thu Feb 13 2020
1 Kings
4As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been.5He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molech the detestable god of the Ammonites.6So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the LORD; he did not follow the LORD completely, as David his father had done.7On a hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the detestable god of Moab, and for Molech the detestable god of the Ammonites.8He did the same for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and offered sacrifices to their gods.9The LORD became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice.10Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the LORD's command.11So the LORD said to Solomon, "Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates.12Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son.13Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom from him, but will give him one tribe for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen."
Mark
24Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret.25In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came and fell at his feet.26The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.27"First let the children eat all they want," he told her, "for it is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."28"Yes, Lord," she replied, "but even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs."29Then he told her, "For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter."30She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, persistence, and the consequences of our choices. The first reading from 1 Kings recounts the story of Solomon, who, despite his wisdom and the blessings he received from God, allowed his heart to be swayed by foreign influences and idolatry. This turning away from the Lord led to division and the eventual fracturing of his kingdom. The Gospel, on the other hand, presents us with a striking contrast: a Gentile woman, a Syrophoenician, who humbly and persistently seeks Jesus’ help for her daughter tormented by a demon. Her faith, despite initial hesitation from Jesus, ultimately prevails, and her daughter is healed.
The context of these readings is crucial. Solomon’s story occurs at the end of his life, when he has already achieved great success and prosperity. His downfall comes not from external enemies but from within, as he allows his heart to grow distant from God. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of complacency and the importance of remaining faithful even in times of abundance. In the Gospel, the Syrophoenician woman’s story highlights the universality of God’s mercy and the power of persistent prayer. She does not let cultural or religious barriers stand in her way, and her humility and trust in Jesus are rewarded.
These readings relate to each other in their emphasis on the importance of remaining faithful and open to God’s grace. Solomon’s failure to do so leads to division, while the Syrophoenician woman’s unwavering faith leads to healing and restoration. For us, these stories remind us to examine our own hearts and ensure that we are not allowing distractions or false idols to take precedence over our relationship with God. Like the Syrophoenician woman, we are called to approach God with humility and persistence, trusting in His mercy and love.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: What are the “foreign influences” in our own lives that might be pulling us away from God? How can we cultivate the kind of faith and persistence demonstrated by the Syrophoenician woman? May we learn from Solomon’s mistakes and strive to keep our hearts focused on the Lord, even in the face of challenges or temptations. And may we, like the woman, trust in God’s boundless love and mercy, knowing that He desires to bring healing and wholeness to our lives.