Daily Readings - Thu Feb 01 2018

First Reading - 1 Kings 2.1-4, 10-12

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

Gospel - Mark 6.7-13

Mark

Chapter 6

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

In today's readings, we witness significant moments of transition and mission. The first reading from 1 Kings recounts David's final instructions to his son Solomon, emphasizing the importance of following God's laws and trusting in His providence. This passage marks the end of David's reign and the beginning of Solomon's, highlighting the transfer of leadership and the enduring promise of God's presence. The Gospel from Mark depicts Jesus sending out the twelve apostles, equipping them with authority and instructing them to travel lightly, relying solely on God's provision. Their mission is fruitful, as they preach, heal, and cast out demons, demonstrating the power of faith and obedience. Both readings share a common theme of trust in God's plan. David's charge to Solomon and Jesus' commission to the apostles illustrate the importance of faith in divine guidance. Each leader entrusts their successors with a mission, emphasizing reliance on God rather than material possessions or personal strength. This trust is not passive; it requires active engagement with God's will, as seen in the apostles' boldness in their mission. In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our own trust in God. Like the apostles, we are called to live simply and courageously, sharing the Gospel with others. Whether in our personal or professional lives, we are challenged to trust in God's provision and to be faithful stewards of the missions entrusted to us. Let us embrace this call with humility and confidence, knowing that God's grace will sustain us as we strive to live according to His will.