FIRST READING
The Queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon.
A reading from the first Book of Kings (I Kings 10:1-10)
In those days: When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions. She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels bearing spices, and very much gold, and precious stones; and when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind. And Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king which he could not explain to her. And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings which he offered at the house of the Lord, there was no more spirit in her. And she said to the king, “The report was true which I heard in my own land of your affairs and of your wisdom, but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it; and behold, the half was not told me; your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report which I heard. Happy are your wives! Happy are these your servants, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord loved Israel for ever, he has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness.” Then she gave the king a hundred and twenty talents of gold, and a very great quantity of spices, and precious stones; never again came such an abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
The word of the Lord
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 37:5-6.30-31.39-40 (R. 30a)
R/. The mouth of the just man utters wisdom
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act,
and make your uprightness shine like the light,
the justice of your cause like the noon-day sun. R/.
The mouth of the just man utters wisdom,
and his tongue tells forth what is right.
The law of his God is in his heart;
his steps shall be saved from stumbling. R/.
R/. The mouth of the just man utters wisdom.
But from the Lord comes the salvation of the just,
their stronghold in time of distress.
The Lord helps them and rescues them,
rescues and saves them from the wicked:
because they take refuge in him. R/.
ALLELUIA John 17: 17ba
Alleluia. Your word, O Lord, is truth; sanctify us in the truth. Alleluia
GOSPEL
“The things which come out of a man are what defile him!”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark7: 14-23)
At that time: Jesus called the people to him again, and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a man which by going into him can defile him; but the things which come out of a man are what defile him.” And when he had entered the house, and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a man from outside cannot defile him, since it enters, not his heart but his stomach, and so passes on?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) And he said, “What comes out of a man is what defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and they defile a man.”
The Gospel of the Lord
TODAY’S REFLECTION
Following Jesus’ dismissive stance on the Pharisees’ and Scribes’ complaint whereby he says: “Nothing that enters anyone from outside can make him unclean. What comes out of him makes him unclean.” The disciples when alone with him asked for an explanation. After upbraiding them, he said: “what comes out of a person is what can make him unclean. For evil designs come out of the heart: sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, indecency, envy, slander, pride and folly”. By this, he has thrown insight into the true worship of God devoid of senseless observations of rules without connectivity to proper conduct and spirituality. Thus, the apostles were enriched by their closeness with Jesus. Likewise, we should set aside time to reflect and ponder on the scriptures and pray. When we cultivate this habit, we will begin to have more insights and convictions about our faith. So find time to be with Jesus. Ask him questions, listen to him for answer