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| “The Martyrdom of St Agatha” by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, c. 1756 |
because that was the most renowned high place.
Upon its altar Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings.
In
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?”
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.”
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Commentary on 1 Kgs 3:4-13
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.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 119:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
By keeping to your words.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
let me not stray from your commands.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
that I may not sin against you.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
teach me your statutes.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
all the ordinances of your mouth.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
as much as in all riches.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
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Commentary on Ps 119:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
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.
Gospel: Mark 6:30-34
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.
his heart was moved with pity for them,
for they were like sheep without a shepherd;
and he began to teach them many things.
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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 was 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.
Reflection:
[1] The picture is “The Martyrdom of St Agatha” by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, c. 1756.
[2] S.S. Commemoratio
[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible, with the exception of the psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This republication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
[4] Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, © 2010, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA. p. 76.
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