Dominican Friars
Province of St. Albert the Great, USA

A Word of Hope

7 February • Give Me an Understanding Heart, O Lord

A Word of Hope

Father Greg begins with the First Reading from 1 Kings, where young Solomon, newly crowned after his father David, humbly prays to God: "Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to distinguish right from wrong." Discover why the Lord was so pleased with this request, valuing wisdom and discernment over worldly riches or power.

The reflection then moves to the Gospel from Mark 6, where Jesus and His disciples, exhausted after the death of John the Baptist, seek rest. Yet, upon seeing the vast crowds, Jesus is "moved with pity" (splagchnizomai in Greek, meaning His heart churned within Him), for they were "like sheep without a shepherd." He sacrifices His own need for rest to teach them many things.

Father Greg connects these two powerful narratives, inviting us, as disciples, to imitate both Solomon's prayer for an understanding heart and Jesus' deep compassion. This video is a powerful call to proclaim the Gospel to God's people by being moved with pity, understanding, and long-suffering, following in the footsteps of these great figures of scripture.

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### ⏰ Timeline

  0:00:00 Welcome & Introduction from Fr. Greg Heille
  0:00:09 First Reading (1 Kings): Solomon Takes Over from David
  0:00:21 Solomon's Humble Prayer: "Give your servant an understanding heart"
  0:00:45 The Lord is Pleased with Solomon's Request for Wisdom
  0:00:56 Gospel (Mark 6): Jesus and Disciples Seek Rest After John the Baptist's Death
  0:01:19 The Crowds Follow: Jesus Is "Moved with Pity" (splagchnizomai)
  0:01:42 Jesus Teaches the "Sheep Without a Shepherd"
  0:01:54 Call to Discipleship: Imitate Solomon & Jesus
  0:02:07 The Power of Pity, Compassion, and Understanding in Proclaiming the Gospel
  0:02:18 Following Scripture's Figures: Proclaiming Christ to the Crowds Around Us

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    6 July • Sent to Share God's Welcome

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