Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr

People seek the Lord at strange times and in strange ways and for strange things. He always responds, "What do you seek?" Then he meets appropriate needs. We need, then, to be bold in seeking God, but also to be bold in acting like God when we find those who are seeking.

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Title

What do you want?

Outline

“What do you want/seek” is asked in religious professions

Obviously it is not a true inquiry, for one is at the ceremony

But it is important that the person state their desire

And desires are granted, even if the leadership knows that the candidate is not, well, yet perfect

Solomon went to seek God

He goes to the high place at Gibeon, not the ideal way of seeking God - the ark was in the City of David and Gibeon was not one of the prophetic centers

He makes an approach to God that is a real sacrifice according to the royal largesse

We do not know why Solomon did this, although God surely did, yet in the night God approaches him, “Whatever you ask I shall give you”

Solomon makes an appropriate answer, “Give your servant, therefore, a listening heart to judge your people and to distinguish between good and evil.”

And God grants the request plus more, although some of that more would be tests of Solomon’s faithfulness

Jesus went on retreat

The disciples were exhausted from a ministry trip and when they returned they did not have the leisure to eat or drink: “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”

They get to the vacation or retreat spot, and I am sure that the disciples’ hearts sank: a vast crowd was already there

They do not ask, “What do you want?” They were probably thinking, “Please go away.”

But Jesus knows within what they want: his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

They wanted God, they wanted salvation, they were seekers

Like God, who he was, he would not refuse them

Sisters, there is something for us here

First, when we approach God, a bit beat up and exhausted, perhaps, or sad or grieving, perhaps, God wants to hear from us what we seek. Sometimes all we can say is, “Lord, you know all things; you know the depths of my heart; you know what I cannot express to myself, which is what I seek, but I know that I seek you.”

Second, even when we do not come at the right time or to the right place or in the right manner, God receives us when we come to him.

Third, Jesus wants us to act like him, although we may need to go to him for strength to do so. The disciples would learn this in the next pericope, “You give them something to eat.” We will have times when we are too exhausted or have nothing on hand to give to those in need and we will be called on to meet a need, to respond to what people seek.

When that time comes - and it seems to come and then come again at a more significant level - let us remember that God was there before us and Jesus was there before us and that in his strength we can respond with, “What do you seek?” Sometimes the answer to that question comes from those seeking and sometimes it comes from God.

Readings

Catholic Daily Readings 2-5-2022: Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr

FIRST READING

1 Kings 3:4–13

4 The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, because that was the great high place. Upon its altar Solomon sacrificed a thousand burnt offerings. 5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said: Whatever you ask I shall give you. 6 Solomon answered: “You have shown great kindness to your servant, David my father, because he walked before you with fidelity, justice, and an upright heart; and you have continued this great kindness toward him today, giving him a son to sit upon his throne. 7 Now, LORD, my God, you have made me, your servant, king to succeed David my father; but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act— 8 I, your servant, among the people you have chosen, a people so vast that it cannot be numbered or counted. 9 Give your servant, therefore, a listening heart to judge your people and to distinguish between good and evil. For who is able to give judgment for this vast people of yours?”

10 The Lord was pleased by Solomon’s request. 11 So God said to him: Because you asked for this—you did not ask for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies—but you asked for discernment to know what is right— 12 I now do as you request. I give you a heart so wise and discerning that there has never been anyone like you until now, nor after you will there be anyone to equal you. 13 In addition, I give you what you have not asked for: I give you such riches and glory that among kings there will be no one like you all your days.

Catholic Daily Readings 2-5-2022: Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr

RESPONSE

Psalm 119:12b

12 Blessed are you, O LORD;

teach me your statutes.

PSALM

Psalm 119:9–14

9 How can the young keep his way without fault?

Only by observing your words.

10 With all my heart I seek you;

do not let me stray from your commandments.

11 In my heart I treasure your promise,

that I may not sin against you.

12 Blessed are you, O LORD;

teach me your statutes.

13 With my lips I recite

all the judgments you have spoken.

14 I find joy in the way of your testimonies

more than in all riches.

Catholic Daily Readings 2-5-2022: Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

John 10:27

27 My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

GOSPEL

Mark 6:30–34

30 The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. 31 He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. 32 So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. 33 People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them.

34 When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

Notes

Catholic Daily Readings 2-5-2022: Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2022 | MEMORIAL

SAINT AGATHA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR

YEARS 1 & 2 | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

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