Daily Readings - Thu Feb 03 2022
1 Kings
1Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,2I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man;3And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:4That the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.10So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.11And the days that David reigned over Israel were forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem.12Then sat Solomon upon the throne of David his father; and his kingdom was established greatly.
Mark
7And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;8And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:9But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.10And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.11And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.12And they went out, and preached that men should repent.13And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, 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.