Tagged: Daily Reflections

“Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I hold to Your promise.” –Psalm 119:67 The Bible tells us not only to rejoice in trials but even to “count it pure joy” (Jas 1:2). We’re so happy because tested faith “makes for endurance” (Jas 1:3). This endurance will eventually make us “fully mature and lacking in nothing” (Jas 1:4). We rejoice “in every sort of trial” (Jas 1:2) because we desire maturity more than comfort and pleasure. We desire to serve God and His people powerfully and effectively more than we desire to feel good. Ultimately, we want to...

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law, he meditates day and night.” –Psalm 1:1-2, RSV-CE The Lord says: “I call heaven and earth today to witness against you: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life” (Dt 30:19). The Lord wants to give us a life of blessedness. In fact, He intends to “overwhelm” us with blessings in the...

“Whoever desired it was consecrated and became a priest of the high places.” –1 Kings 13:33 Two leadership styles are contrasted in today’s Mass readings. Jeroboam’s motivation as a leader was self-centered; he wanted to preserve his power (1 Kgs 12:26ff). He had little interest in the welfare of his people. In contrast, Jesus was motivated by a selfless compassion for His people, concerned for their welfare rather than His own convenience (Mk 8:2ff). Jeroboam believed that if he made worship convenient for the people, they would “forget” true worship of God and focus on convenience. Jesus focused on pleasing...

“I will tear away the kingdom from Solomon’s grasp and will give you ten of the tribes.” –1 Kings 11:31 Solomon was the wisest man in the world. He built the temple to be the eighth wonder of the world. He was so wealthy as to attract worldwide recognition. His subjects expected Solomon to lead Israel into the international prominence prophesied of the Davidic dynasty. However, that was dramatically changed. “The Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I will tear away the kingdom from Solomon’s grasp’ ” (1 Kgs 11:31). Solomon’s kingdom was soon divided and his descendants were left...

“When Solomon was old…his heart was not entirely with the Lord.” –1 Kings 11:4 King Solomon started his reign as “a mere youth” (1 Kgs 3:7). Young Solomon started well as king. He humbly asked God for wisdom to govern well and built the Temple so the Lord could be fittingly worshipped. But “when he was old,” Solomon’s heart was no longer entirely with the Lord (1 Kgs 11:4). How old was Solomon when his heart turned away from God? Numerous estimates believe he died in his early sixties. This is a stark warning to those of us in our...