Daily Mass Readings – Thursday, 10 February 2028

4 And when he was now old, his heart was turned away by women to follow strange gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father.

5 But Solomon worshipped Astarthe the goddess of the Sidonians, and Moloch the idol of the ammonites.

6 And Solomon did that which was net pleasing before the Lord, and did not fully follow the Lord, as David his father.

7 Then Solomon built a temple for Chamos the idol of Moab, on the hill that is over against Jerusalem, and for Moloch the idol of the children of Ammon.

8 And he did in this manner for all his wives that were strangers, who burnt incense, and offered sacrifice to their gods.

9 And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his mind was turned away from the Lord the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice,

10 And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not follow strange gods: but he kept not the things which the Lord commanded him.

11 The Lord therefore said to Solomon: Because thou hast done this, and hast not kept my covenant, and my precepts, which I have commanded thee, I will divide and rend thy kingdom, and will give it to thy servant.

12 Nevertheless in thy days I will not do it, for David thy father’s sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.

13 Neither will I take away the whole kingdom, but I will give one tribe to thy son for the sake of David my servant, and Jerusalem which I have chosen.

R. (4a) Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.

3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, and do justice at all times.

4 Remember us, O Lord, in the favour of thy people: visit us with thy salvation.

R. Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.

35 And they were mingled among the heathens, and learned their works:

36 And served their idols, and it became a stumblingblock to them.

R. Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.

37 And they sacrificed their sons, and their daughters to devils.

40 And the Lord was exceedingly angry with his people: and he abhorred his inheritance.

R. Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

21bc Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

24 And rising from thence he went into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon: and entering into a house, he would that no man should know it, and he could not be hid.

25 For a woman as soon as she heard of him, whose daughter had an unclean spirit, came in and fell down at his feet.

26 For the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophenician born. And she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.

27 Who said to her: Suffer first the children to be filled: for it is not good to take the bread of the children, and cast it to the dogs.

28 But she answered and said to him: Yea, Lord; for the whelps also eat under the table of the crumbs of the children.

29 And he said to her: For this saying go thy way, the devil is gone out of thy daughter.

30 And when she was come into her house, she found the girl lying upon the bed, and that the devil was gone out.

Solomon had received the Lord’s wisdom and commandments, yet his heart was gradually turned toward strange gods. The psalm shows how easily God’s people can become mingled with the nations and learn their ways until what once seemed foreign becomes a stumbling block. A divided heart does not usually appear all at once; it grows when the Lord’s word is no longer welcomed and obeyed.

The Syrophoenician woman shows another path. She comes before Jesus with humility, accepts the difficult word he speaks, and continues to trust his mercy. Her faith is not possessive or demanding; she is content even with the crumbs that fall from the table. Jesus honors that faith and frees her daughter. Her example helps us examine what has begun to claim our hearts in place of God. The word planted in us is able to save, but it must be received humbly and lived faithfully. When we recognize our divided loyalties, we can return to the Lord, asking him to purify our desires and teach us the trusting perseverance of this woman.

Lord God, remember us in your mercy and keep our hearts faithful to you. Deliver us from every idol that quietly takes your place, and give us courage to recognize the habits and desires that lead us away from your commandments. Plant your word deeply within us, that it may guide our choices and save us from stumbling. Jesus, teach us the humble faith of the woman who trusted your goodness even when she was tested. Hear our prayers for those who need your healing and freedom, and make our hearts steadfast in your love. Amen.