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/ 

Stream of Conscious Healing

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to consider the opportunities for growth we may have rejected through pride or misunderstanding.

Healing Environment

The reading from the Second Book of Kings describes the Healing of Naaman.

* [5:1] Leper: the terms traditionally translated “leper” and “leprosy” covered a wide variety of skin disorders like psoriasis, eczema, and seborrhea, but probably not Hansen’s disease (modern “leprosy”); there is no clear evidence of its existence in biblical times.

* [5:12] Wash in them and be cleansed: typical of the ambiguity in ritual healing or cleanliness. The muddy waters of the Jordan are no match hygienically for the mountain spring waters of Damascus; ritually, it is the other way around. (2 Kings, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 42 expresses longing for God and His Help in Distress.

* [Psalms 42–43] Ps 42–43 form a single lament of three sections, each section ending in an identical refrain (Ps 42:6, 12; 43:5). The psalmist is far from Jerusalem, and longs for the divine presence that Israel experienced in the Temple liturgy. Despite sadness, the psalmist hopes once again to join the worshiping crowds. (Psalms, PSALM 42 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke presents the Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth.

* [4:25–26] The references to Elijah and Elisha serve several purposes in this episode: they emphasize Luke’s portrait of Jesus as a prophet like Elijah and Elisha; they help to explain why the initial admiration of the people turns to rejection; and they provide the scriptural justification for the future Christian mission to the Gentiles.

* [4:26] A widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon: like Naaman the Syrian in Lk 4:27, a non-Israelite becomes the object of the prophet’s ministry. (Luke, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

Mirielle Leonard asks a few questions. How many of us have doubted God’s plans for us even up until the last second? Tried to avoid the way he was nudging us or complained and prayed for anything different to happen. Have we thanked and worshiped God only after we got what we wanted?

We should take heart, though, because we are no less worthy of God’s love and attention, as Naaman was. We may occasionally stray from the path of his direction, but God will seek out the one to bring them home. My prayer today is that we may have the fortitude to praise the Lord through our trials. To spend consistent time in prayer listening to God so that we might discern our path. Finally, that we may serve all those in need, and be happy for those who receive God’s grace. (Leonard, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Could anyone refuse to love our God?”, by Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"Fulfill the commandments out of love. Could anyone refuse to love our God, so abounding in mercy, so just in all his ways? Could anyone deny love to him who first loved us despite all our injustice and all our pride? Could anyone refuse to love the God who so loved us as to send his only Son not only to live among human beings but also to be put to death for their sake and at their own hands?" (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on 2 Kings 5:1-15 comments that many times the Lord doesn’t do what we think he should do. As he did with Naaman, he asks us to go beyond what’s familiar or comfortable. Those are times when our faith can grow. We might think we know better. But as we humbly listen to the Lord—even when he’s speaking to us in ways we don’t expect—we have the chance to encounter him more deeply.

Maybe something like this has happened to you: you went to Confession, and the priest gave you a penance that didn’t make sense to you. But as you followed his direction, God blessed you in an unexpected way. Or maybe you were confused or struggling, and words of wisdom came from someone you would never have consulted—maybe even your own teenager. But as you took them to heart, God brought you peace or clarity.

Today, ask the Lord to help you see these opportunities when they present themselves. Say yes to humility. You will never regret it.

“Lord, help me to be humble enough to see how you might be working unexpectedly in my life!” (Meditation on 2 Kings 5:1-15, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler discusses the difficulty of Naaman the Syrian with the healing offered by Elisha, in the Jordan river, without recognizing the warrior’s status. At that time, the Israelites were mostly henotheists, worshipping Yahweh, but recognizing other gods. Friar Jude suggests that Jesus passing through the crowd in Nazareth may not have been supernatural.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, encourages regular contemplative practice. In contemplation, we move beneath thoughts and sensations to the level of pure being and naked awareness. Inspired by Father Thomas Keating (1923–2018), the founder of Contemplative Outreach, Fr. Richard developed this exercise.

Imagine you are sitting on a riverbank. Boats and ships—thoughts, feelings, and sensations—are sailing past. While the stream flows by your inner eye, name each of these vessels. For example, one of the boats could be called “my anxiety about tomorrow.” Or along comes the ship “objections to my husband” or the boat “I don’t do that well.” Every judgment that you let pass is one of those boats; take time to name each one and then allow them move down the river.  

This can be a difficult exercise because you’re used to jumping aboard the boats—your thoughts—immediately. As soon as you own a boat and identify with it, it picks up energy. This is a practice in un-possessing, detaching, letting go. With every idea, with every image that comes into your head, say, “No, I’m not that; I don’t need that; that’s not me.”  

Sometimes, a boat turns around and heads back upstream to demand your attention again. It’s hard not to get hooked by habitual thoughts. Sometimes you’ll be tempted to torpedo your boats. But don’t attack them. Don’t hate them or condemn them. Contemplation is also an exercise in nonviolence. The point is to recognize your thoughts, which are not you, and to say, “That’s not something I need.” But do it very amiably. As you learn to handle your own soul tenderly and lovingly, you’ll be able to carry this same loving wisdom out into the world. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

We contemplate the issues and concerns that preoccupy our thoughts and implore the Spirit to assist our reconsideration that precedes healing.

References

Leonard, M. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/032425.html 

Luke, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/4?24 

Meditation on 2 Kings 5:1-15. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved March 25, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/03/24/1232390/ 

Psalms, PSALM 42 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/42?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). A Simple Practice. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-simple-practice/

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Jesus' Power to Heal and Cleanse. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=mar24 

2 Kings, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2kings/5?1