＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊   

1 Kings 3:4-13

 The king used to sacrifice at

Gibeon, the great high place; on the altar there he had offered a thousand burnt offerings.   It was in Gibeon, during the night, that Yahweh appeared to Solomon in a dream and said, “Ask what you want me to give you.”

 Solomon answered, “You have shown your servant David my father a great and steadfast love because he served you faithfully and was righteous and sincere towards you. You have given him proof of your steadfast love in making a son of his sit on his throne this day.

 And now, O Yahweh my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a young boy who does not know how to undertake anything.  Mean­time, your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen – a people so great that they can neither be numbered nor counted.

 Give me, therefore, an understanding mind in governing your peo­ple that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this multitude of people of yours?”

 Yahweh was pleased that Solo­mon had made this request.   And he told him, “Because you have requested this rather than long life or wealth or even vengeance on your enemies; indeed, because you have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right,  I shall grant you your request.

I now give you a wise and discerning mind such as no one has had before you nor anyone after you shall ever have.  “I will also give you what you have not asked for, both wealth and fame; and no king shall be your equal during your lifetime.

 

Ps 119:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

Lord, teach me your statues.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊ 

Mark 6:30-34

The apostles returned and reported to Jesus all they had done and taught.   Then he said to them, “Go off by yourselves to a remote place and have some rest.” For there were so many people coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat.   And they went away in the boat to a secluded area by themselves.

 But people saw them leaving and many could guess where they were go­ing. So, from all the towns they hurried there on foot, arriving ahead of them.

As Jesus went ashore he saw a large crowd, and he had compassion on them for they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began To teach them many things.

 

 Gospel Reflection：

Choice: Solomon vs Jesus

I am afraid Solomon chose poorly. David had chosen far more wisely: David had chosen love. In the end of it all, we see David standing justified and Solomon perishing in his wisdom. Wisdom can only take you so far; it is far too calculative, too cautious, too prudent.

It plays safe, and wisely so! But it is love that leaps over the impossible, with a madness of the heart that reason can never comprehend. Wisdom tells you that Jesus and his disciples should have rested after such a hard labor.

Jesus himself knows that his disciples need some rest.They need to take good food, sleep for eight hours, do yoga, go far a health check-up every six months. After all, don’t they have long years of ministry ahead? But then Jesus sees the crowd. His heart takes over. Rest dismissed.