Acknowledging God

Readings for Tuesday February 9, 2010

First Reading: 1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm
Gospel: Mark 7:1-13


Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of the whole community of Israel, and stretching forth his hands toward heaven, he said, “LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below; you keep your covenant of mercy with your servants who are faithful to you with their whole heart. Can it indeed be that God dwells on earth? If the heavens and the highest heavens cannot contain you, how much less this temple which I have built! Look kindly on the prayer and petition of your servant, O LORD, my God, and listen to the cry of supplication which I, your servant, utter before you this day. May your eyes watch night and day over this temple, the place where you have decreed you shall be honored; may you heed the prayer which I, your servant, offer in this place. Listen to the petitions of your servant and of your people Israel which they offer in this place. Listen from your heavenly dwelling and grant pardon." (1 Kings 8:22-23,27-30)

King Solomon was mostly known for his wisdom and for how much he built up the cities, but one thing that I believe was his most defining characteristics was that the man really knew how to pray. When he first became king and God appeared to him in a dream and told him to ask for anything that he wanted and it would be granted. Solomon didn't ask for money or power, but rather he asked for the wisdom to govern God's people. But not only did Solomon know how to be selfless in pray and to ask for things for the greater good, but he also made it a point to acknowledge God in his prayers.

In today's first reading we read Solomon's prayer after the dedication of the temple. In the first part of his prayer, Solomon took to time to acknowledge who God was, he said that there is no other God like the God of Israel. He says that not even the heavens can contain God, and how much less the temple. Before even asking for anything, Solomon takes the time to think about and share just who God is. How many times in our own prayer lives do we do this? How many times do we begin prayer with a thank you for our lives and the things that we have? How many times do we take time to acknowledge the greatness of God? Part of prayer is to ask God for help (He knows that we all need it), but it is also a time for us to take and encounter God and to realize who He is and how wonderful He is. Our prayer time should be more than giving God a to do list, it should be a conversation, a chance to sit down with our Creator and learn.

May God bless each of us in our faith journeys.

Father above, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Lord, thank you for all that have blessed us with. Lord, your love and mercy are so great and wonderful, let us never stray from your goodness. Lord, you are our God and we are your people, thank you for wanting us. We pray for all of our priests and religious, may they be blessed in their ministries. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.