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| "Nagasaki Martyrs" Artist and Date are UNKNOWN |
Commentary:
Reading I: 1 Kings 3:4-13
Commentary on 1 Kgs 3:4-13
As Solomon assumes his role as King, he seems to begin by contravening what was said in Deuteronomy 12:2-3, by going to one of the pagan “high places” to offer sacrifice. However, in these early days of the monarchy, they seem have attained Hebrew significance as well (see 1 Chronicles 16:39, 1 Chronicles 21:29). Samuel offers a sacrifice in the hopes that his prayer may be heard. The answer to his prayer comes in a dream, a means frequently depicted in the Old Testament whereby God has an exchange with his servants (see also Genesis 20:3, Genesis 28:12, Judges 7:13ff, Job 4:13, Zachariah, Joel and Daniel).
Because he asks for wisdom to guide his people as God would intend, the Lord not only imparts the wisdom he asks for, but also those normal desires, wealth and success, which he did not. Solomon is clearly beloved of God.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 119:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
R. (12b) Lord, teach me your statutes.
Commentary on Ps 119:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
An acrostic poem; each of the eight verses of the first strophe begins with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet (aleph). Each verse of the second strophe begins with the second letter and so on for all 22 letters of the alphabet (beth).
The entire work is in praise of the Law, and the joys to be found in keeping it. It is not "legalism" but a love and desire for the word of God in Israel's Law, which is the expression of the Lord's revelation of himself and his will for man.
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Gospel: Mark 6:30-34
Commentary on Mk 6:30-34
This passage from St. Mark’s Gospel continues the story of the disciples as they return from being sent, and give Jesus a report of their efforts. The disciples are called “Apostles” for the first time, as they are gathered to give an account of what they had accomplished. They will not assume this formal title until after Pentecost, but St. Mark uses it here, perhaps because they have now become Christ’s emissaries, not just his students.
They go off to a deserted place to rest in a boat but are followed by a large crowd. They did not sail far from shore, since the crowd knew where they were putting in and were there to meet them. The Lord looked at this new Exodus and saw them as "sheep without a shepherd:" "A familiar simile from the Old Testament. It generally depicts Israel's need for spiritual leadership (Numbers 27:17; 1 Kings 22:17; Judith 11:19; Jeremiah 23:1-3; Zechariah 10:2). Ultimately God himself promised to shepherd his sheep through the Messiah (Ezekiel 34:23; John 10:11-16)."[4] He began to teach them.
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Reflection:
We are taught that if we pray, God hears us. Scripture tells us that if we pray to God, asking him whatever we will, he will answer our prayers. We see this in the dream of Solomon in the First Book of Kings. Solomon goes to a “High Place,” a place where God is thought to listen to mankind, and there he offers a thousand sacrifices, incense rises to God and, in a dream, God speaks to him. God is pleased because of the nature of what Solomon requests. God grants the young King’s request for wisdom that he (Solomon) might lead his people well.
God not only answers Solomon’s prayer, but because of his selfless request, he also gives him gifts that a more self-serving person may have asked for, wealth and prosperity. There is an important message that operates as a guiding principle when it comes to praying and prayers being answered. Before we get to that, however, we must address the absolute statement: “God always answers prayers.” Like a parent answering their child, God answers his children, but sometimes he has to say no. He says no when his children ask for things they should not have, things that might harm them or others. The Lord will say no when what we ask for serves our own purpose, but goes against God’s purpose.
In the case of Solomon, God’s purpose was eminently served by the King’s prayer. The Wisdom of Solomon was seen as a gift from God, and when he exercised that gift God himself was praised. Can we say the same for the prayers we utter in the darkness of our rooms or in the depth of our hearts? Of course all our prayers will not be answered as we want them to be. God’s way is not our way (Look at how he brought us salvation – though the painful death of his own Son.).
The lesson of Solomon’s prayer is well received today. Our prayer is that we too might have the selfless heart of a true servant of God, and all that we do may bring glory to our Heavenly Father.
Pax
[2] The picture is "Nagasaki Martyrs" Artist and Date are UNKNOWN
[4] Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, © 2010, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA. pp. 76
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