Today's Mass readings / commentary (Solomon asks for wisdom / Jesus says to come away for awhile.. rest)

[distracted]

**February 6, 2010 **

Memorial of Saint Paul Miki, martyr, and his companions, martyrs
Lectionary: 328

Reading I
1 Kgs 3:4-13

Solomon went to Gibeon to sacrifice there,
because that was the most renowned high place.
Upon its altar Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings.
In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night.
***God said, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.”***Solomon answered:
“You have shown great favor to your servant, my father David,
because he behaved faithfully toward you,
with justice and an upright heart;
and you have continued this great favor toward him, even today,
seating a son of his on his throne.
O LORD, my God, you have made me, your servant,
king to succeed my father David;
but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act.
I serve you in the midst of the people whom you have chosen,
a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted.
***Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart
to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.
For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?” ***The LORD was pleased that Solomon made this request.
So God said to him: “Because you have asked for this–
not for a long life for yourself,
nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies,
but for understanding so that you may know what is right–
I do as you requested.
I give you a heart so wise and understanding
that there has never been anyone like you up to now,
and after you there will come no one to equal you.
In addition, I give you what you have not asked for,
such riches and glory that among kings there is not your like.”

Responsorial Psalm
119:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

R. (12b) Lord, teach me your statutes.
How shall a young man be faultless in his way?
By keeping to your words.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
With all my heart I seek you;
let me not stray from your commands.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Within my heart I treasure your promise,
that I may not sin against you.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Blessed are you, O LORD;
teach me your statutes.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
With my lips I declare
all the ordinances of your mouth.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
In the way of your decrees I rejoice,
as much as in all riches.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.

Gospel
Mk 6:30-34

The Apostles gathered together with Jesus
and reported all they had done and taught.
He said to them,
***“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” ***People were coming and going in great numbers,
and they had no opportunity even to eat.
So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.
People saw them leaving and many came to know about it.
They hastened there on foot from all the towns
and arrived at the place before them.

When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd,
his heart was moved with pity for them,
for they were like sheep without a shepherd;
and he began to teach them many things.

.

***Solomon asked for wisdom… HOw many humans ask God for that? hmm…

then God gave it to him… and even then Solomon later turned to the worship of idols… even, apparnetly the horrible god (of abortion) Molech…

we humans are so frail… so “stupid”… & yet we always try to act as thoguh we are not… Are we trying to impress God?? No, we are trying to impress man… which is why a lot of people end up in Hell… (St Mt 7:20, etc…)

Jesus says to come away for awhile… If we never got away from the human realm, we could not please God… and would probably never make it to Heaven… which is why the Church has monateries & convents… i wish i was in one… ***

 

[sjg4Him]

My favorite part is when Jesus is obviously exhausted but when He saw the crowds his heart was moved and He had pity on them for they were like sheep without a shepard. Does my heart move with pity for others even when I am a little tired?

 

[Pilgrimage]

Hello,

Asking for wisdom in the face of being overwhelmed by thousands of people is a right choice. Solomon would already have a certain amount of wealth and therefore any sacrifice he could make is simply a token. Not only is he David’s son, but he is also giving an offering of a thousand sacrifices, this when there will be faithful servants of God whom are poor and offering up the last of their livestock perhaps.

Remember the widow and her two small coins (Mark 12: 41–44); how could this be compared to the sacrifices of rulers, and what sacrifice could a ruler make of such worth to God in comparison to her sacrifice? Solomon is in this position of feeling his unworthiness of sacrifice. This is unique because all those years later Jesus still had to point this out in Mark verse 44.

Therefore Solomon’s request is also a humbling sacrifice. He is prepared to give all, even power to be a fair and wise ruler of his people who is guided by God. It is all too easy for the rich to be greedy when they already have so many blessings.

Solomon recognised that some of God’s greatest blessings were in his own position, a reward of his own father’s adoration towards God. What greater blessings other than wisdom could he have asked for in the circumstance? So, there was a humility in his request which was pleasing to God.

Who had understood the gift of wisdom and the true worth of sacrifice in Jesus’ day though? The poor widow, the wealthy or the disciples?

If we were tired and faced with a multitude what would be our own sacrifice?

God bless