First Reading (1 Kings 10:1-10)
Reading from the First Book of Kings.
In those days, the queen of Sheba, having heard – to the glory of the Lord – of Solomon’s fame, came to test him with riddles. She arrived in Jerusalem with a large retinue, with camels carrying spices, and a great quantity of gold and precious stones. She came to King Solomon and presented to him all that was in her mind.
Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing so obscure that he could not explain it. When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon, the house he had built, the feasts of his table, the courtiers sitting in order at the table, the attendants in their garments, the cupbearers, and the burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the Lord, she was amazed and said to the king:
“The report was true that I heard in my own land of your accomplishments and of your wisdom, but I did not believe the reports until I came and saw with my own eyes. Nevertheless, the half was not told me; your wisdom and prosperity far surpass the report that I had heard. Happy are your wives! Happy are these your servants, who continually attend 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 forever, he has made you king to execute justice and righteousness.”
Then she gave the king one hundred twenty talents of gold, a great quantity of spices, and precious stones. Never again did spices come in such abundance as those that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
— The word of the Lord.
— Thanks be to God.
Gospel (Mark 7:14-23)
— Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark.
— Glory to you, Lord.
At that time, Jesus called the crowd to him and said: “Listen to me, everyone, and understand: it is not what goes into someone from the outside that makes them unclean, but what comes out of them. For it is from within, from a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”
— The Gospel of the Lord.
— Praise to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
My brothers and sisters in Christ,
May the peace of Our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you. Today, I would like to begin our reflection with a question that I am sure all of us have asked ourselves at some point in our lives: How can we live in a world full of temptations and traps that constantly lead us away from our faith? How can we find the true essence of the Christian life amidst so many distractions and challenges?
These questions are of utmost importance to all of us, for each of us faces daily the inner and outer struggles that threaten our journey of faith. It is easy to feel discouraged and to succumb to the pressures of the world, but today, in the biblical passages from the First Reading of the Book of Kings and the Gospel according to Mark, we find valuable guidance to help us in these battles.
In the First Reading, we are introduced to the meeting between the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon. The Queen of Sheba was known for her wisdom and wealth, and she traveled a long distance to meet Solomon and test his wisdom. When she finally arrived, she was impressed by the greatness of his kingdom and the wisdom that emanated from him. She was left speechless and declared, “The report I heard in my own country about your deeds and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe what they said until I came and saw with my own eyes” (1 Kings 10:6-7).
This story reminds us that when we seek God’s wisdom and truth with sincerity, we are rewarded beyond what we could imagine. When we approach God with an open heart, He reveals His truth to us and fills us with His wisdom. He grants us a deeper understanding of His will and empowers us to face the challenges we encounter on our path.
In the Gospel according to Mark, we find Jesus confronting the Pharisees and scribes, who were more concerned with external traditions than with true worship of God. Jesus rebukes them, saying, “There is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile” (Mark 7:15). He reminds us that true purity is not found in external traditions, but in the purity of the heart.
These passages challenge us to look beyond external appearances and to seek inner transformation. They invite us to examine our hearts and question our motivations. We are called to seek true conversion, where our words and actions reflect the authenticity of our faith.
But how can we do this in a world that bombards us with negative influences and tempts us to follow paths contrary to Christian principles? I want to share with you some practical guidelines that will help us remain steadfast in our faith and live an authentic life as disciples of Christ.
First, it is essential that we are rooted in the Word of God. The Bible is our guide, our light in the darkness. It gives us direction, wisdom, and discernment. When we dedicate ourselves to daily reading of the Word, we are nourishing our souls and strengthening our communion with God. It is as if we are building solid foundations for our faith, which will help us withstand the storms of life.
Additionally, prayer is an indispensable element in our journey of faith. Through prayer, we connect with God in an intimate and personal way. It is the time when we can share our joys, sorrows, concerns, and hopes with Him. In prayer, we find strength, comfort, and direction. It is through prayer that we open ourselves to the action of the Holy Spirit in our lives and receive the grace necessary to live according to God’s will.
Another fundamental aspect is active participation in the life of the local Church. The Christian community is a place of support, encouragement, and spiritual growth. It is where we find other brothers and sisters who share the same faith and who can strengthen us in moments of weakness. Regularly participating in Mass, receiving the sacraments, and getting involved in ministries and prayer groups are concrete ways to strengthen our spiritual life and remain steadfast on the path.
Furthermore, it is important to cultivate healthy relationships with other people. Let us surround ourselves with fellow travelers who share the same values and encourage us to live according to the faith. Having people who support us, correct us with love, and challenge us to grow spiritually is a great gift. Likewise, we should be that support for others, offering love, compassion, and guidance in their lives.
As Christians, we are also called to be light and salt in this world. We must bear witness to the truth of Christ in our words and actions. This means living with integrity, seeking justice, mercy, and love in all situations. We must be mindful of our words and how they can impact others. We must be sensitive to the needs of the less fortunate and be agents of change in our society. By doing so, we will be reflecting the light of Christ and drawing others to the love of God.
Let us also remember that we are fallible human beings and that we may make mistakes along our journey. In those moments, it is important to remember that God is a God of mercy and forgiveness. He is always ready to welcome us back, to forgive us, and to give us a fresh start. Therefore, we should not allow our failures to drive us away from God, but rather to propel us to seek His mercy and to strive to live according to His will.
My dear brothers and sisters, living an authentic life as Christians in a world full of temptations and distractions is not an easy task. But with the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, we can resist negative influences and live a life that reflects the truth and love of Christ.
May this moment of reflection inspire us to seek God’s wisdom with an open heart, to cultivate healthy relationships, and to be authentic witnesses of the Gospel in all aspects of our lives. May we find strength and comfort in the Word of God, in prayer, and in the Christian community. And may, through our words and actions, we be agents of transformation in this world, radiating the light of Christ and drawing others to the true joy and hope that can only be found in Him.
May God bless us and guide us on our journey of faith. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
