1 Kings 11:4-13, Psalm 106:3-4, 35-37, 40, Mark 7:24-30
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/021110.shtml
WANT OR WANTON?
"The Lord said to Solomon: 'Since this is what you want...' " —1 Kings
11:11
Solomon made a great start in following the Lord. In his youth, God
presented Solomon with the chance to have anything he wanted (1 Kgs
3:5ff). Solomon chose wisdom, so as to rule God's people with
understanding and justice. God was pleased with Solomon's choice (1 Kgs
3:10).
Later in life, however, Solomon used his God-given power to indulge his
own wanton desires rather than fulfilling God's desires. He fell so far
into lust and idolatry that his heart turned away from the Lord. Solomon
didn't want God anymore, and he therefore deprived himself of the kingdom
(see 1 Kgs 11:11).
One day of unfaithfulness and wantonness leads to the next day of sin.
After a while, Solomon's heart was far from the Lord. Unfaithfulness was
what Solomon wanted (1 Kgs 11:11), and the bitter consequences of
unfaithfulness are what he got (see Rm 6:23).
Faithfulness to God consists in daily seeking God, His way of
righteousness, and His kingship over us (see Mt 6:33). Every day we
Christians must pick up our cross, deny ourselves, and follow Jesus (Lk
9:23). If we want God, we can find Him (Jer 29:13-14). He is always
seeking us and waiting for us to want Him.
Discipleship is all in the wanting. What do you want?
Prayer: Father, let me be faithful to Your teaching, and never let me be
parted from You.
Promise: "Happy are they who observe what is right, who do always what is
just." —Ps 106:3
Praise: Pete keeps a bottle of Lourdes water on his office desk. God has
used it on several occasions as a springboard to evangelization and
healing.
(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.) (All
wisdom is a gift from God. Are you using your gift to serve God? Call
937-587-5464 to help Presentation Ministries further the Kingdom of God.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my
permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from
February 1, 2010 through March 31, 2010
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, August 11, 2009
The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be
free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have
granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or
statements expressed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB
eBook edition, and an online donation form at
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 2010 Presentation Ministries
To add your e-mail address to this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp
To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r
No comments:
Post a Comment