Golden Heart for Help

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to examine our desires and hunger and how they align with the mission for Christians to address the real needs of our communities.

A Heart for Love

The Reading from the First Book of Kings proclaims that Jeroboam’s Cultic Innovations lead to Divine Disapproval.

* [12:26–31] At the center of the story of Jeroboam the narrator describes how the king went beyond the political separation of Israel from Judah to create a separatist religious system as well. Jeroboam feared that continued worship in the single Temple in Jerusalem would threaten the political independence of his kingdom. To prevent this he established sanctuaries with non-levitical clergy in his own territory. At two of the sanctuaries he set up golden calves, which the narrator depicts as idols. Thus begins what will later be called “the sin of Jeroboam” (13:34), a theme that will be echoed throughout 1–2 Kings in the condemnations of almost every king of the Northern Kingdom. Historically, Jeroboam’s innovations were not as heterodox as our narrative portrays them. Bethel was an ancient and traditional site for worship of the Lord; and the calves were probably intended to be a dais for the deity invisibly enthroned upon them, rather like the cherubim atop the ark of the covenant. (1 Kings, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)

* [13:11–34] The next major unit illustrates how Jeroboam’s cultic innovations begin to alienate prophetic figures of the two kingdoms. Nevertheless, the Lord’s word is stronger than any human attempt to thwart it. The two prophets also foreshadow the destinies of their respective kingdoms. Israel’s experiment with idolatry can tempt Judah to abandon its faithfulness to the Lord. If Judah succumbs, and no longer speaks the word that can call Israel back to the true God, then the only hope for reuniting the two kingdoms will be when they have both died the death of exile. (1 Kings, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 106 recites from Israel’s history eight instances of sin, judgment, and forgiveness including the golden calf episode (Ps 106:19–23; see Ex 32–34).

* [Psalm 106] Israel is invited to praise the God whose mercy has always tempered judgment of Israel (Ps 106:1–3). The speaker, on behalf of all, seeks solidarity with the people, who can always count on God’s fidelity despite their sin (Ps 106:4–5). Confident of God’s mercy, the speaker invites national repentance (Ps 106:6) by reciting from Israel’s history eight instances of sin, judgment, and forgiveness. The sins are the rebellion at the Red Sea (Ps 106:6–12; see Ex 14–15), the craving for meat in the desert (Ps 106:13–15; see Nm 11), the challenge to Moses’ authority (Ps 106:16–18; see Nm 16), the golden calf episode (Ps 106:19–23; see Ex 32–34), …

* [106:20] Their glory: meant as a reference to God. (Psalms, PSALM 106 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus presents The Feeding of the Four Thousand.

* [8:1–10] The two accounts of the multiplication of loaves and fishes (Mk 8:1–10; 6:31–44) have eucharistic significance. Their similarity of structure and themes but dissimilarity of detail are considered by many to refer to a single event that, however, developed in two distinct traditions, one Jewish Christian and the other Gentile Christian, since Jesus in Mark’s presentation (Mk 7:24–37) has extended his saving mission to the Gentiles.

* [8:6] See note on Mk 6:41. (Mark, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB, n.d.)

Barbara Dilly asks how often do evil people strategize to replace our loyalty to our values and beliefs with meaningless and harmful substitutes that serve only their aims? We must ask ourselves, when have we followed the hollow promises of those who offer us material gains and a shallow sense of security at the cost of our spiritual well-being?

The Gospel message speaks clearly to me today. “One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.” Yes, Jesus did provide bread and fish to meet the material needs of the hungry crowd, but the manner in which he did so, with compassion and care, met their spiritual needs as well. These people had followed Jesus for days without food, hanging on every word that came out of his mouth. He fed them not only food, but hope. As I reflect on the troubled times of our nation and the world, I am drawn to not only the words but the works of Jesus. People need to have their daily bread. We most certainly should be about that. But they also need caring, compassion, hope, and respect. And we absolutely need to be about that at the same time. No one needs golden images to worship instead of the living God who will help us meet the material and spiritual needs of the world. I pray that we can clearly tell the difference. (Dilly, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Breaking the bread of God's Word,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"In expounding to you the Holy Scriptures, I as it were break bread for you. If you hunger to receive it, your heart will sing out with the fullness of praise (Psalm 138:1). If you are thus made rich in your banquet, be not meager in good works and deeds. What I am distributing to you is not my own. What you eat, I eat; what you live upon, I live upon. We have in heaven a common store-house - from it comes the Word of God." (excerpt from SERMONS ON NEW TESTAMENT LESSONS 45.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 8:1-10 comments that this crowd—most of whom do not even belong to his own Jewish people—traveled to a desolate place to hear him and spent three entire days listening to him. Their openness to him touched Jesus deeply, and he responded to their faithfulness. By multiplying bread and fish for them, he was showing that his message would also multiply beyond the Jewish community to reach everyone. He was showing that he cared for all people, even Gentiles, who were considered outside of God’s covenant love.

This is so important it bears repeating. It doesn’t matter what part of the world we’re from. It doesn’t matter how strong or weak we feel our faith is. Neither does it matter if someone is our closest friend or our worst enemy. Jesus’ heart “is moved” with compassion for every person (Mark 8:2). He wants to pour his love on everyone.

“Jesus, thank you for loving each of us so deeply! Teach me to love as you do!” (Meditation on Mark 8:1-10, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that in the division of the kingdom, the king of the north was established and Jeroboam worried the people would continue to journey to Jerusalem so two he established shrines at Dan and Bethel. There were many shrines in Israel at that time. But the two calves of gold resonated with the pagan people around who worshiped an oxen image. Scholars comment that the golden calves were not a craven image but a platform where God could appear. It was perhaps a symbol that could be misunderstood in the henotheism of the land.  Friar Jude comments that, in the Gospel of Mark, the multiplication of the loaves for the pagan people results in seven loaves left over, the perfect number, to feed the world and satisfy the deepest hunger of our heart.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces author and poet Mary Jo Leddy who offers this poem, reminding us that God is our point of origin for all creation.

You are the Point
of all Being.
Every tree stretches
up to You.
Each plant reaches
down to You.
All the roads go
on to You.
The many waters run
toward the vastness
of Your love.
The air breathes
in and unto You.
Every heart wants
to turn to You.
How unhappy we are
when we miss
the Point of all Being.
How blessed are we
when we follow our longing
and leaning into
Your direction.

Reference:
Mary Jo Leddy, Radical Gratitude (Orbis Books, 2002), 104. Used with permission. (Rohr, n.d.)

We contemplate the mission of Jesus to bring all people to receive the nourishment of His Word and seek the help of the Spirit to transform our attitudes and actions to be workers in His vineyard.

References

Dilly, B. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved February 14, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-february-14-2026 

Mark, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 14, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/8?1 

Meditation on Mark 8:1-10. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved February 14, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/02/14/1499247/ 

1 Kings, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 14, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1kings/12?26 

1 Kings, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 14, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1kings/13 

Psalms, PSALM 106 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 14, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/106? 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). After the Fall: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 14, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/after-the-fall-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Jesus Alone Can Satisfy Our Hunger for God. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 14, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Division and Demons

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to be open to inspiration for living with Christ from people that we encounter unexpectedly who strengthen our faith.

Faith and New Friends

 

The Reading from the First Book of Kings describes the End of Solomon’s Reign.

* [11:1–13] The next major unit of the Solomon story corresponds to 3:1–15. Like the earlier passage it includes the narrator’s remarks about Solomon’s foreign wives and his building projects, and a divine word commenting on Solomon’s conduct. However, where 3:1–15 is generally positive toward Solomon, the present passage is unrelievedly negative. Chronicles has no parallel to this material.

* [11:2] Them: both the nations and their gods. (1 Kings, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 106 seeks solidarity with the people, who can always count on God’s fidelity despite their sin.

* [Psalm 106] Israel is invited to praise the God whose mercy has always tempered judgment of Israel (Ps 106:1–3). The speaker, on behalf of all, seeks solidarity with the people, who can always count on God’s fidelity despite their sin (Ps 106:4–5)... mingling with the nations (Ps 106:34–47). The last, as suggested by its length and generalized language, may be the sin that invites the repentance of the present generation. The text gives the site of each sin: Egypt (Ps 106:7), the desert (Ps 106:14), the camp (Ps 106:16), Horeb (Ps 106:19), in their tents (Ps 106:25), Baal-Peor (Ps 106:28), the waters of Meribah (Ps 106:32), Canaan (Ps 106:38). (Psalms, PSALM 106 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus proclaims the Syrophoenician Woman’s Faith.

* [7:24–37] The withdrawal of Jesus to the district of Tyre may have been for a respite (Mk 7:24), but he soon moved onward to Sidon and, by way of the Sea of Galilee, to the Decapolis. These districts provided a Gentile setting for the extension of his ministry of healing because the people there acknowledged his power (Mk 7:29, 37). The actions attributed to Jesus (Mk 7:33–35) were also used by healers of the time.

* [7:27–28] The figure of a household in which children at table are fed first and then their leftover food is given to the dogs under the table is used effectively to acknowledge the prior claim of the Jews to the ministry of Jesus; however, Jesus accedes to the Gentile woman’s plea for the cure of her afflicted daughter because of her faith. (Mark, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)

Desiree Nownes reflects on the impact of Saint Anthony of Padua (Memorial on June 13) on her experience of recovery of lost spiritual connection.

Don Schwager quotes “Great was the power of her faith, and for our learning,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).

"See her humility as well as her faith! For he had called the Jews 'children,' but she was not satisfied with this. She even called them 'masters,' so far was she from grieving at the praises of others. She said, 'Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.' Behold the woman's wisdom! She did not venture so much as to say a word against anyone else. She was not stung to see others praised, nor was she indignant to be reproached. Behold her constancy. When he answered, 'It is not fair to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs,' she said, 'Yes, Lord.' He called them 'children'- but she called them 'masters.' He used the name of a dog, but she described the action of the dog. Do you see this woman's humility? Then compare her humility with the proud language of the Jews: 'We are Abraham's seed and were never in bondage to any man'(John 8:33). 'We are born of God' (John 8:41). But not so this woman. Rather, she calls herself a dog and them masters. So for this reason she became a child. For what does Christ then say? 'O woman, great is your faith.'

"So we might surmise that this is the reason he put her off, in order that he might proclaim aloud this saying and that he might crown the woman: 'Be it done for you as you desire.' This means 'Your faith, indeed, is able to effect even greater things than these. Nevertheless be it unto you even as you wish.' This voice was at one with the voice that said, 'Let the heaven be,' and it was (Genesis 1:1). 'And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.' Do you see how this woman, too, contributed not a little to the healing of her daughter? For note that Christ did not say, 'Let your little daughter be made whole,' but 'Great is your faith, be it done for you as you desire.' These words were not uttered at random, nor were they flattering words, but great was the power of her faith, and for our learning.

He left the certain test and demonstration, however, to the issue of events. Her daughter accordingly was immediately healed." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW, Homily 52.3) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on 1 Kings 11:4-13 asks how can we give our whole hearts to the Lord? By giving him first place in our lives. One way to do this is by turning to God a few times each day. We can dedicate the day to him when we first wake up. We can set aside time for prayer and ask him how we can best serve him. We can stop at midday to ask him to help us and guide us. Finally, when we retire at night, we can thank him for the day and ask forgiveness for any ways that we may have turned away from him.

As you try to keep your heart “with the Lord” like this, you won’t just avoid the idolatry that Solomon fell into (1 Kings 11:4). You’ll discover the goodness of your God. You’ll find peace in his presence. You’ll find wisdom because you’re more attuned to his voice. And you’ll find joy as you delight in a kingdom that lasts forever!

“Lord, I give you my whole heart today!” (Meditation on 1 Kings 11:4-13, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments in 1 Kings Solomon had many wives and foreign women who enticed the King to move away from the Lord and build temples to gods of child sacrifice. The Lord orders the Kingdom would be split in the life of Solomon’s son into two tribes. Jesus travels to Tyre and encounters a pagan woman and Jesus responds to her request for healing for her daughter possessed by demons with "Let the children be fed first” The purpose of this response is really unclear. The woman demonstrates “chutzpah” and Jesus is impressed. We have to tell God our deepest thoughts “What we are really feeling”. Friar Jude prays “May God bless us in our arguments with the Divine.”

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces psychotherapist Fiona Gardner who shares how we might once again experience paradise in the writings of contemplative writer and monk Thomas Merton. Contemplative practice creates opportunities to return to the ‘enchantment’ of the garden:

Present-moment awareness is about creating a gap in the constant busyness of the mind…. It is through such a clear space that new and creative possibilities are born…. There may be an inner prompting in the midst of a busy life to take stock, perhaps to stop and consider…. The focus is then on the inner desire for that thirst-quenching water of life. In other words to move to a place of renewal and rebirth, where there may be glimpses in adulthood of life beyond the shadow and disguise, and experiences, even if fleeting, of the spirit of the child. One way to start to shift out of the obscured false self way of living is to begin to develop awareness, to awaken the senses, to look, listen, feel, and touch as the small child does—to return to one’s senses. [3] (Rohr, n.d.)

We invite the Spirit to enhance our appreciation of the Way of the Lord in our interaction with people from unfamiliar circumstances and journeys different from ours.

References

Mark, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 12, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/7?24 

Meditation on 1 Kings 11:4-13. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved February 12, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/02/12/1498221/ 

1 Kings, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 12, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1kings/11?4 

Psalms, PSALM 106 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 12, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/106?3 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 12, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/contemplation-and-paradise/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Demon Has Left Your Daughter. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 12, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/