1 Kings 11:29-32; 12-19, Mark 7:31-37

My Beloved, even though You knew that eventually Jeroboam would also prove to be unfaithful, You entrusted him with the kingdom.  You have placed Your trust in me as well even through I am unfaithful often.

Mark 7:31-37

31 Again Jesus set out; from the country of Tyre he passed through Sidon and skirting the sea of Galilee he came to the territory of Decapolis. 32 There a deaf man who also had difficulty in speaking was brought to him. They asked Jesus to lay his hand upon him.  33 Jesus took him apart from the crowd, put his fingers into the man’s ears and touched his tongue with spittle. 34 Then, looking up to heav¬en, he groaned and said to him, “Ephphetha,” that is, “Be opened.”  35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was loosened, and he began to speak clearly. 36 Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone, but the more he insisted on this, the more they proclaimed it. 37 The people were completely astonished and said, “He has done all things well; he makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.”

Like the deaf mute I too was deaf and ignorant of Your word and thus was not able to articulate it.  Thank You my Beloved for ministering to me personally, for taking me away with You and touching and healing me.  For opening my ears to hear You and loosening my tongue so I could sign aloud and praise You for all the wonderful things You have done for me.  Thank You for helping me see through You words, Your actions, and Your life how much You love me.  Thank You for the desire to sing from the rooftops and tell of all the marvelous things You have done for me and continue to do so.  I love You. Thank You for loving me even though I am a sinner.

Psalm 107:20, Psalm 37:7, Mark 7:30, Psalm 36:6, 8-10

Psalm 107:20

20 He sent forth his word and healed them, and rescued them from destruction.

Psalm 37:7

Keep calm before the Lord wait for Him in patience.

Mark 7:30

When the woman went home, she found her child lying in bed and the demon had gone.

My Beloved Jesus, our hope is in You not in man.  You are our God and we trust You.  Your word brings comfort and strength.  We trust You to be faithful to Your word.

Psalm 36:6, 8-10

6 Your love, O God, reaches the heavens; your faithfulness, to the clouds.  8 How precious, O God, is your constant love! Mortals take refuge in the shadow of your wings.  9 In your house they find rich food and they drink from your spring of delight.  10 For with you is the fountain of life, in your light we see light. 

Thank You my Beloved for all the words of comfort You have spoken to me this morning.  Thank You for Your loving and kind assurances that You are a faithful and loving God in whom we can place all our trust.

1 Kings 1:1-5, 10, Mark 7:14-16, 20-23

1 Kings 1:10

3 and Solomon answered all her questions. There was nothing that the king could not explain to her. 4 And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the palace he had built, 5 the food on his table, the residence of his officials, the attendance of his servants and their clothing, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings which he offered at Yahweh’s House, it left her breathless.  10 Then she gave the king a hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in abundance, and precious stones. Such an abundance of spices as those which the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon was never again seen.

The Queen of Sheba saw that King Solomon had an abundance of everything including great wisdom.  She was so impressed that before she left, she gave him even more.

You said Lord, to those who have, even more will be given and those who have little, even what they have will be taken away.  Help me to be faithful and grateful.  Help me to use all that You have given me for Your greater glory.

 

Mark 7:14-15, 20-23

• 14 Jesus then called the people to him again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and try to understand. 15 Nothing that enters one from outside can make that person unclean. It is what comes out from within that makes unclean. 16 Let everyone who has ears listen.”  20 And he went on, “What comes out of a person is what defiles, 21 for evil designs come out of the heart: theft, murder, 22 adultery, jealousy, greed, maliciousness, deceit, indecency, slander, pride and folly. 23 All these evil things come from within and make a person unclean.”

My Beloved, You always hold up the truth.  You speak it, You affirm it and You do not tolerate those who pretend to be what they are not, nor do You give credence to practices that have no power to convert or make holy.  It in in our hearts that sin and evil festers, takes root and grows.  It is there in the silence of our being where God sees and with His help, we can begin to root out our evil tendencies and inclinations.

1 Kings 8:23, 28-30, Psalm 84:3-5, 10-11

1 Kings 8:23, 28-30

O Yahweh, God of Israel, there is no God like you either in heaven or on earth! You keep your covenant and show loving- kindness to your servants who walk before you wholeheartedly.! 28 Yet, listen to the prayer and supplication of your servant, O Yahweh my God; hearken to the cries and pleas which your servant directs to you this day. 29 Watch over this House of which you have said, ‘My name shall rest there.’ Hear the prayer of your servant in this place.  30 Listen to the supplication of your servant and your people Israel when they pray in this direction; listen from your dwelling place in heaven and, on listening, forgive.

My Beloved, thank You for Your Bride, the Holy Catholic Church in which You have graciously ordained that I may be a member.  I thank You for the fullness of Yourself that exists in Your Church. Thank You for the great love that You have for each one of its members.  Thank You that You always listen to our cries and You give us all that we need on our journey from earth to heaven.  Thank You Beloved, for staying with us in the Eucharist and giving Yourself to us as our food.  How truly blessed we are, for in receiving You into our bodies, we become what we consume.

Psalm 84:3-5, 10-11

3 My soul yearns, pines, for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.  4 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest  where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God! 5 Happy are those who live in your house, continually singing your praise!  10 Look upon our shield, O God; look upon the face of your anointed! 11 One day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be left at the threshold in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of the wicked. 

My gracious, most beloved Lord, all day long and even at night as I lie on my bed, I raise my voice and my heart to You.  Hear and answer me O my God and my Lord.  Hear and anwer my cry O Lord.

1 kings 8: 2, 6, 9-11,13 - Mark 6:53-56

1 Kings 8:2, 6, 9-11, 13 

The priests carried the ark of Yahweh 4 and brought it up together with the Tent of Meeting and all the holy vessels that were in the tent.. 6 Then the priests laid the ark of the covenant of Yahweh in its place in the inner sanctuary of the House – the Most Holy Place – underneath the wings of the cherubim.  9 There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets of stone 10 when the priests came out of the Holy Place, such a cloud filled Yahweh’s House 11 that the priests could not continue to minister. Indeed, the glory of Yahweh filled his House.13 So the House I have built you will be your House, a place for you to dwell in forever.”

My Beloved, there is so much You reveal in today's Scripture passages.  The Church points to Mary as the Ark of the New Covenant.  The holy vessels are the multitude of witnesses in the saints and martyrs - Holy men and women who show us that it is possible to live good and holy lives.

The Word of God is found nestled in Mary and the glory of God the Father and the Holy Spirit fills her, covers her and enfolds both Mary and the Eternal Word in His awesome Presence just as He does Holy Mother Church the place where God dwells until the end of time.

Mark 6:53-56

53 Having crossed the lake, they came ashore at Gennesaret where they tied up the boat. 54 As soon as they landed, people recognized Jesus 55 and ran to spread the news throughout the countryside. Wherever he was they brought to him the sick lying on their mats. 56 And wherever he went, to villages, towns or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplace and begged him to let them touch just the fringe of his cloak. And all who touched him were cured.

My Beloved, whatever I do I must do it united with You. Every breath, every word, every act, every thought, every impulse - the ebb and flow of my life must all be in union with You my God.  Grant me this grace. Amen