1 Kings 11:4-13
Psalm 106:3-4, 35-37, 40
Mark 7:24-30
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A WARNING TO MIDDLE-AGED HEARTS
"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 forties and fifties. We may feel we are just reaching our peak. King David, father of Solomon, may have felt similarly. Yet David’s downfall also began in his middle-age years. David relaxed at home while his soldiers fought his battles (2 Sm 11:1). In his idleness, David succumbed to the temptations of adultery and murder (2 Sm 11:2-17). The mid-life sins of Kings David and Solomon sowed the seeds for the downfall of both their families and the nation of Israel.
A great cost is paid when our middle-aged hearts are no longer entirely with the Lord. St. Paul warns: “Your thoughts may be corrupted and you may fall away from your sincere and complete devotion to Christ” (2 Cor 11:3). We may think in our middle age that, after decades of hard work, we have earned a break. Scripture warns: “Already you have devoted enough time to what the pagans enjoy” (1 Pt 4:3). Repent of any desires to find rest apart from the Lord. “Come to Me,” says the Lord, “and you will find rest for your souls” (see Mt 11:28-29).
Prayer: Jesus, change anything in me so I may be all Yours.
Promise: "Happy are they who observe what is right, who always do what is just." —Ps 106:3
Praise: There is only one "Holy Family," but the Catholic Church has produced countless holy families: St. Scholastica is the twin sister of St. Benedict. Praise the Lord!
(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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