First Reading - 1 Kings 11:4-13

Gospel - Mark 7:24-30


There is a quiet danger in thinking that faith, once strong, no longer needs attention. Hearts rarely turn away from God suddenly; more often, they drift slowly through small compromises, divided loyalties, or fatigue in commitment. Today’s readings speak honestly about that danger, but they also reveal the power of humble and persistent faith.

In the First Reading, Solomon’s story takes a painful turn. The same king who once asked God for wisdom allows his heart to be drawn away by competing influences. His devotion becomes divided, and what begins as accommodation gradually becomes unfaithfulness. Scripture is direct in its message: the problem is not simply external influence, but a heart no longer fully centered on God. Solomon’s wisdom did not protect him once his love for God weakened. The consequence is not immediate destruction, but fracture — a kingdom that will no longer remain united.

This passage is sobering because it reminds us that faithfulness is not secured by past devotion. It requires ongoing attention. A divided heart slowly loses clarity, and what once seemed unthinkable becomes acceptable.

The Gospel offers a striking contrast. A foreign woman approaches Jesus, pleading for her daughter’s healing. She is an outsider, without status or claim, yet she refuses to give up. Even when faced with a difficult response, she answers with humility and trust. Her persistence reveals deep faith, and Jesus responds by granting her request. The one considered outside becomes an example of faith, while those presumed close often struggle to believe.

Dear friends, distance from God is not determined by background or status, but by the orientation of the heart. Solomon, despite wisdom and privilege, allows his heart to drift. The woman, despite being an outsider, draws near through trust and humility.

Faith can become routine. Distractions multiply. Commitments compete for attention. Over time, it becomes easy to give God only part of the heart. At the same time, many people feel unworthy or distant, unsure whether their prayer matters. Today’s word reassures us that God responds not to perfection, but to sincerity and perseverance.

The invitation today is to examine where your heart is divided. What pulls your attention away from God? What small compromises are slowly shaping your choices? And at the same time, do not hesitate to approach God with persistence, even when answers seem delayed.

When the heart returns fully to God, clarity returns. When humility replaces entitlement, faith deepens. And when we continue to seek God with trust, like the woman in the Gospel, we discover that God’s mercy reaches beyond every boundary, drawing near to those who refuse to stop believing.