Daily Readings - Tue Feb 06 2024
1 Kings
22Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven23and said: "O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below-you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way.27"But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!28Yet give attention to your servant's prayer and his plea for mercy, O LORD my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day.29May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which you said, 'My Name shall be there,' so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place.30Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.
Mark
1The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and2saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were "unclean," that is, unwashed.3(The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders.4When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles. )5So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with 'unclean' hands?"6He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: "'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.7They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.'8You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men."9And he said to them: "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!10For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.'11But you say that if a man says to his father or mother: 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is Corban' (that is, a gift devoted to God),12then you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother.13Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that."
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.