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Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
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I would like to invite you to reflect with me on the First Reading (1 Kings 11:29-32;12:19) and the Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 81). In both texts, the Lord cautions us about the risks of a "divided heart” - one that tries to worship Him and to worship idols at the same time. As a sophomore and freshman in high school, I read all the Old Testament books, just the way one reads a story book. Part of it was that I did not have any other books to read! It was fascinating to read about the Judges and the Kings of Israel. This whole week we have been reflecting on the Kings of Israel especially King Solomon. We heard that with all the blessings he got from God through the foundation his father David laid for him, Solomon made other choices in life that had severe consequences on his household and the Kingdom of Israel. We heard that he married many foreign wives and he allowed them to come with their religions and their “gods” and he also allowed them to set up altars in his palace. He was a firm believer in the unbridled freedom of religion for all in his household, but it didn’t go down well.
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Today’s two Scripture passages are almost mirror images of each other. In the first reading from Kings, Solomon, son of David, the figure at the very heart of the nation, favored by God by two divine appearances and the gift of holy wisdom, turns away from the Lord and the covenant to follow the idolatry of the nations represented by his many foreign wives. In the Gospel reading from Mark, the woman, a foreigner from the very same nation as Solomon’s idolatrous wives, at first rebuffed by Jesus, persists in turning to the Lord and finally receives His compassionate favor.
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My dear brothers and sisters, today let us reflect on a spiritual practice that can sustain and strengthen our families: the examination of the conscience. In our families, we often look outward for the cause of our struggles and pain. We blame work, society, or even one another. Yet Jesus gently reminds us that what truly shapes our actions and relationships flows from within. He teaches us, 'what defiles us comes from within,' or 'Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Mt 6:21).' If our hearts carry evil thoughts or cherish evil deeds, these will echo through our households. But if we treasure love, patience, humility, and forgiveness, our homes become places where grace can flourish.
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Let me begin with a scene many of us know too well. You finally decide to clean the house not because you are convinced it needs a cleaning but because guests are coming. You clean the drawing room and the dining anyway, Floors shine, kitchen sink is empty, cushions are aligned, tables are clean, everything looks perfect. Then, five minutes before the doorbell rings, you realize the mess hasn’t disappeared; it’s just been pushed into one room. The door is shut. Problem solved, or so we think.
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“With eyes of faith consider the greatness of your mission and the wonderful amount of good which you can accomplish” by Blessed Basil Moreau,CSC In today’s gospel we have Jesus coming ashore on the lake, as soon as he disembarks from the people, many people immediately recognized him, and started pushing and struggling to touch him looking for healing from all their ailments. What did they recognize in Jesus that moved them? It is possible that they had witnessed the miraculous deeds done somewhere else. Now, they recognized him as one with power from God to heal and make whole bodies, limbs, minds and hearts that were beset with diseases and afflictions. They believed that even by mere pressing up to Jesus and touching the fringes of his garment, they would be made well. They were filled with expectant faith that Jesus is ready to meet their needs. We know that Jesus’ mission was to do the will of God and specifically that is what is demonstrated in actions of healing and forgiving sins.
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Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Today, I invite you to reflect with me on a message of courage, faith, and mission—one that speaks directly to the heart of every family. Scripture reminds us that those who trust in the Lord and keep His commandments will find strength for every journey. That promise is as true for families today as it was for the disciples Christ sent out two by two, carrying nothing but faith.
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