February 8, 2018 Thursday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time-B

1 Kings 11:4-13

Psalm 106

Mark 7:24-30

When Solomon was old…his heart was not entirely with the Lord, his God.  1 Kings 11:4

They served their idols, which became a snare for them.  Psalm 103:36

Lord, it seems the more things change, the more they stay the same.  After a lifetime of receiving favor and blessing from you, Solomon chose to please his wives by worshiping their gods.  After you saved them from bondage in Egypt and gave them a home land the Israelites chose to turn away from you and to embrace the gods of their neighbors.  The Psalm today reminds me that going along with the ways of the world is a trap for my soul.  Because I have been saved by the blood of Jesus, cleansed in the waters of Baptism and Confirmed in the Holy Spirit I belong to you and not to the world. It is so temping to be lured into the surrounding culture which doesn’t accept you as its Lord.  Over time it becomes easier and easier to compromise my faith and to give in to the empty values of the false gods around me.   Lord, please hear my prayer today.  I choose to give my heart to you and not to let myself be trapped by the enemy.   Holy and merciful Jesus, I love you.  Make me your faithful child forever.  Amen.