when something isn't better than nothing
"I will tear away the kingdom from Solomon's grasp and will give you ten of the tribes. One tribe shall remain to him." —1 Kings 11:31-32
Solomon was the wisest person who had ever lived (1 Kgs 3:12). Solomon proved his exceptional wisdom by settling a dispute between two harlots, each of whom claimed to be the mother of a baby. When Solomon was about to cut the baby in half, the woman who volunteered to give up her baby to the other woman was recognized as the true mother (1 Kgs 3:26-27). She preferred to lose the baby rather than have half of it.
Later, Solomon's kingdom was divided (1 Kgs 11:31). The people reasoned that having part of the kingdom was better than having none at all. But Jesus said: "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste. Any house torn by dissension falls" (Lk 11:17).
The body of Christ today has been torn to pieces. We have a world decimated by ethnic and national divisions. Many of our churches, marriages, and families are divided, divorced, broken, and shattered. Few are alarmed by the fragmentation of our world. Too many think that they at least have something. However, is our disunity not only a deprivation but a destruction?
Prayer: Father, heal divisions through the intercession of our Blessed Mother.
Promise: "He has done everything well! He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak! " —Mk 7:37
Praise: Mary and Philip volunteered to work with marriage preparation at their parish. They longed to build strong marriages and families in the holy love of Jesus and Mary.
Reference: (Prepare to rebuild the Church by reading the Bible every day. We have several tape series to help you. Overview of the Bible is six audio tapes starting with AV 10A-1 or three video tapes starting with V-10A. 15-minute Bible Teaching - New Testament is forty audio tapes starting with #700. It is also available on our website. An Introduction to each Book of the Bible is 32 audio tapes starting with AV 21-1 or 17 video tapes starting with V-21.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, May 10, 2017
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