Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Optional Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
 
On Saturdays in Ordinary Time when there is no obligatory memorial, an optional memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary is allowed. [1] Mass texts may be taken from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary, from a Votive Mass, or from the special collection of Masses for the Blessed Virgin Mary. Suggested for this date: #24B  Blessed Virgin Mary, Seat of Wisdom.

“The Dream of Solomon”
by Luca Giordano, c. 1693

Readings for Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time [2]
 
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [3]
 
Readings and Commentary: [4]
 
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.”
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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 to have attained Hebrew significance as well (see 1 Chronicles 16:39, 1 Chronicles 21:29). Solomon 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.
 
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.
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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 (beth) and so on for all 22 letters of the alphabet.
 
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
 
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.
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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)." [5]  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
 

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[1] General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar Miscellaneous Notes no. 5: “Outside Advent, Christmas Time, Lent, and Easter Time, on Saturdays which have no commemoration having the rank of Obligatory Memorial or higher, a Mass in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary may be celebrated. This is indicated in the calendar by ‘BVM.’ The readings and prayers may be selected from the Collection of Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary.”
[2] The picture is “The Dream of Solomon” by Luca Giordano, c. 1693.
[3] S.S. Commemoratio
[4] 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.
[5] Ignatius Catholic Study Bible (Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA. © 2010), 76.