Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Saturday of the fourth week in ordinary time, February 7th, 2026

Delivered by Celine from tha Parish of Santo Marinus Yohanes in the Diocese of Surabaya, Indonesia. 1 Kings 3: 4-13; Rs psalm 119: 9.10.11.12.13.14; Mark 6: 30-34.RECHARGING ENERGY Our meditation today isentitled: Recharging Energy. There are many testimonies both directly from theperson and through social media about the danger of using a cellphone whilebeing recharged. People give warnings to one another not to make or receivecalls when the mobile phone is being recharged. They say that the cellphone canbe burnt or explode. There is already a lot of evidences about this and goneviral on the digital globe. The best advicepeople always give is that the cellphone must be idle or rested, therefore, theprocess of adding electrical energy to the battery is not interrupted by theuse of the same energy for our communication activities. That consideration hasa point, because the battery is like a warehouse. It receives the energy first,then later distributing it for various uses. The battery is not like the hosethat receives water and distributing it at once. The experience ofrecharging energy is spiritually illustrated by our readings today. KingSolomon was graced with such a great and strong kingdom from his father David.But he left behind for a moment the work of governing the kingdom and went tothe mountain of sacrifice, called Gibeon. There he prayed and made offerings toGod. In response, he received wisdom from God after he was told to make thebest wishes for him and his kingdom. A new energy really helps for a new job. Jesus and theapostles took available times for resting, praying, and strengtheningfellowship among them in the midst of their busy ministries to so many people.But in reality the people did not stop their desire to listen and askinghealing from the Lord. They continued following Jesus wherever he and theapostles went. After some moments of recharging energy, a renewed strength andenthusiasm obtained, with great  love ofa Shepherd Jesus exclaimed that He was "moved by compassion for them,because they are like sheep without a shepherd." Recharging energy or addinga renewed strength to the existing ones is very important for us in the processof assuming next task, new challenge, ongoing struggle, and various kinds ofdifficulty that may come any time in our lives. As believers, we have times forexamination of conscience, confession, daily and weekly eucharist, fasting,recollection, and retreat; all these are opportunities for us of regaining ourspiritual growth. If these are just spiritual activities in our routine style,we might find ourselves like a water hose: accepting energy and let it go atonce. It is better for us to fill up our spiritual storehouse with God's powerand love, and at an appropriate time we share it to a particular need. Let's pray. In the name of the Father... O Lord Jesus Christ, fill us with the same compassion as You always havefor the flock who needs a good shepherd . Glory to the Father and to the Sonand to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father ...