His Heart Was Turned Away

Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

The LORD, therefore, became angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice (for though the LORD had forbidden him this very act of following strange gods, Solomon had not obeyed him).  1 Kings 11:9-10

She replied and said to him, “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps.”  Then he said to her, “For saying this, you may go.  The demon has gone out of your daughter.”  When the woman went home, she found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.  Mark 7:28-30

Piety

Who can recount the mighty deeds of the LORD, proclaim in full God’s praise?  Blessed those who do what is right, whose deeds are always just.  Remember me, LORD, as you favor your people; come to me with your saving help, that I may see the prosperity of your chosen ones, rejoice in the joy of your people, and glory with your heritage.  Psalm 106:2-5

Study

Yesterday, we saw the rewards Solomon reaped for carrying out the judgment and justice of the Lord.  Today, we hear the story of Solomon who has defiled himself by worshiping false gods.  In addition, we see the opposite -- the mother of the girl possessed has cleansed her daughter through faith and action.

“But what comes out of the man, that is what defiles him.  From within the man, from his heart, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.  All these evils come from within and they defile.”  Mark 7:20-23

Action

Despite the fact that these situations happened thousands of years ago, what defiles us today are the same things that were the dangers to King Solomon.  Maybe we will not turn to Asarte and Milcom, Chemosh and Molech. 

Instead, we have Budweiser and Marlboro, Makers Mark and Hard Rock Café to provide plenty of options to defile ourselves.  From Doritos to Soda Stream, from Go Daddy to T-Mobile, from Chevy to Jaguar, there is no shortage of organizations trying to get us to look for happiness in all the wrong places. 

Let us vow to represent the mother who allows nothing come between her faith and her hope in the Lord.  Let us turn toward the Lord today so that our demons will depart.