My reflections for Feb. 04, 2006 - Saturday

February 4, 2006

Reading I
1 Kings 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.”

(Solomon's rule will be characterized by wisdom. Unfortunately, some of the wise advice that he follows will be based on worldly analysis rather than the will of God. The political alliances that he makes tend to allow false religious practices to become a part of the life of the people as well as compromising the integrity of Israel as a nation under the hand of God. The ultimate result is a split in the kingdom that will prove disastrous for the faith of Israel.)

The wisdom given my by God to a person is worth more than any treasures in the world. With wisdom, a person could earn his own treasures by taking action and doing what he knows.

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

R. 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
Mark 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.

(Jesus wants them to recognize the ways that God is changing them and forming them to be the apostles they are called to be. This process is important as it boosts confidence and allows the disciples to believe in their calling in a deeper way.)


God's special verse/thought for me today.
Lord give me the wisdom like Solomon so I may know what is right and wrong. Give me Lord the wisdom to be able to understand better your words so I may effectively spread your good news.

my reflections
think: "The unreflected life is not worth living."
Lord, you knocked on my door when I was living an unreflected life. You made me realized that my life was not worth living. O Lord, help me from day to day to reflect on your words so I could reflect it on my life. You my Lord Jesus Christ is worth living for and dying for.

thank You Lord for: the wisdom that I may able to understand your words better.
thank You Lord for being able to spread your good news with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
thank You Lord for knocking on my door to save me from an unreflected life.
thank You Lord for being able to reflect on your words daily and reflect it on my life.
thank You Lord for a life that is worth living.