“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
Daily Reflections
Thursday, 1st February 2018,
Fourth Week in the Ordinary Time
Readings: 1 Kings 2: 1-4, 10-12;
1 Chr 29: 10, 11ab, 11d-12a, 12bcd;
Mark 6: 7-13
As we travel through life, we often gather a lot items along the way. The problem with excessive baggage (sometimes garbage) we gather is that it can slow us down from our journey’s purpose and prevent us from moving along as we should. King David realizes at the end of his life that all that he has accumulated will not be going with him as he transitions from his life on earth. Likewise, Jesus commissions His apostles with the warning not to take more than the minimum necessities because His Abba-Father will be providing for them as they undertake their missionary journeys.
Our first reading is David’s last will or statement to his son, Solomon. David realizes that he is going to die soon. David challenges Solomon to do what God has commanded. He also realize that he, like all who transition from earthly life, will not be taking all that he has gathered with him as he moves on from his life on earth.
In the Gospel today, Jesus sends out His apostles to continue His work of spreading the Good News. He tells them that they need to travel light and trust that God will take care of them.
In both readings we see a transition to a new stage in God’s plan. David is handing over the reign to Solomon. Jesus is commissioning the Apostles to spread the Gospel. Also we hear the message in both accounts that those who are taking on their new roles need to trust that God will take care of them, particularly if they stay focused on what God has commanded of them.
What is important is being faithful to the will of God. I am reminded of three seminarians who were going to spend their summer doing parish work in a parish far from their home. They had filled their car with their possessions: stereos (boom boxes), radios, sports equipment, clothes, extra food, etc. There was no room left in their car except for the three of them. Before they left on their summer experience, they went to church and they heard the words of today’s Gospel (or one of its parallels in the synoptic Gospels): “Take nothing on the journey but a walking stick – no food, no traveling bag, not a coin in the purses in your belts.” They began to laugh at themselves and their vehicle packed with their belongings.
Is there any activity, feeling, or possession which is burdened me down and preventing me from following the Lord Jesus more fully? What can I do to let go of that excessive baggage and lighten my load so that I can do what GOD is asking of me? How can I be of positive assistance to others who need assistance in lightening their loads?