Daily Readings - Thu Feb 03 2022
1 Kings
1Now the days of David had drawn near, so that he would die, and he instructed his son Solomon, saying2"I am entering the way of all the earth. Be strengthened and be a good man3And observe the care of the Lord your God, so that you walk in his ways, so that you care for his ceremonies, and his precepts, and judgments, and testimonies, just as it is written in the law of Moses. So may you understand everything that you do, in any direction that you may turn yourself4So may the Lord confirm his words, which he has spoken about me, saying: ‘If your sons will guard their ways, and if they will walk before me in truth, with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not be taken away from you a man on the throne of Israel.10And so, David slept with his fathers, and he was buried in the city of David11Now the days during which David reigned over Israel are forty years: he reigned seven years in Hebron, thirty-three in Jerusalem12Then Solomon sat upon the throne of his father David, and his kingdom was strengthened exceedingly
Mark
7And he called the twelve. And he began to send them out in twos, and he gave them authority over unclean spirits8And he instructed them not to take anything for the journey, except a staff: no traveling bag, no bread, and no money belt9but to wear sandals, and not to wear two tunics10And he said to them: "Whenever you have entered into a house, stay there until you depart from that place11And whoever will neither receive you, nor listen to you, as you go away from there, shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.12And going out, they were preaching, so that people would repent13And they cast out many demons, and they anointed many of the sick with oil and healed them
Sermon
The readings today remind us of the importance of faithfulness, trust in God, and living with purpose. In the first reading from 1 Kings, we see David nearing the end of his life, and he takes the opportunity to impart wisdom to his son Solomon. David, who had experienced both triumphs and failures, urges Solomon to remain faithful to God, to walk in His ways, and to observe His laws. This passage highlights the significance of passing on spiritual values and the responsibility of leadership rooted in faith. David’s words are not just practical advice but a spiritual inheritance, ensuring that Solomon’s reign would be blessed by God.
In the Gospel, Mark 6, we see Jesus sending out the Twelve Apostles two by two, giving them authority to preach, heal, and cast out demons. However, Jesus also instructs them to travel lightly, without extra provisions, relying solely on God’s providence. This teaching emphasizes trust in God and detachment from material comforts. The Apostles are to focus on their mission, not on accumulating possessions or seeking comfort. Their reliance on God’s provision would deepen their faith and remind them that their true strength comes from Him, not from worldly resources.
These readings are connected by the theme of trust and faithfulness. David trusts in God’s promise and passes that trust to Solomon. Jesus teaches the Apostles to trust in God’s care as they carry out their mission. For us today, these readings invite us to reflect on our own trust in God. Do we rely on Him when we face challenges, or do we turn to worldly solutions? Are we faithful in passing on the values of our faith to others? Let us ask ourselves: Am I living with the kind of detachment and trust that allows me to focus on God’s will? May we, like David and the Apostles, trust in God’s providence and live with hearts fixed on Him.