Mark 6:7-13

1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12

1 Chronicles 29:10, 11ab, 11d-12a, 12bcd

Mark 6:7-13

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two

and gave them authority over unclean spirits.

He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick

–no food, no sack, no money in their belts.

They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic.

He said to them,

“Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there.

Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you,

leave there and shake the dust off your feet

in testimony against them.”

So they went off and preached repentance.

The Twelve drove out many demons,

and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I come before you today attentive to your life-giving Word. I am called to turn from the things of this passing world and to look toward the things of heaven. The things of this world cannot offer me lasting happiness. In you alone, I find the eternal happiness I desire and seek.

Encountering the Word of God

1. David Instructs Solomon: In the First Reading, King David gives his last will and testament to his son Solomon. David tells him to follow the mandates of the Lord as they are written in the Law of Moses. David also directs Solomon to punish David’s enemies and reward David’s loyal supporters (1 Kings 2:5-9). In his testament, David recalls the covenant oath that the Lord made about his kingdom enduring forever. The Lord God promised that if David’s royal sons were faithful, they would experience the blessings of the covenant. If they were unfaithful – and many of them were – they would trigger the curses of the covenant and be chastised. 

2. The Law of Moses and the Kings of Israel: The Law of Moses was very clear about what things the kings of Israel should avoid. These prohibitions included amassing great wealth, having many wives, and stockpiling weapons of war (Deuteronomy 17:16-17). They were commands to resist disordered temptations and desires for possessions, pleasure, and power. While Solomon sought to be a wise ruler in his youth, his heart became corrupted over time, and he violated all three of the royal prohibitions of the Law of Moses greatly (1 Kings 10:14-11:13).

3. Jesus, the New David, Instructs the Twelve: Just as David instructed Solomon about how to reign, so also Jesus, the Son of David, instructed the future pastors of his Church on how they were to govern. Jesus granted authority to the Twelve and this is symbolized in the walking stick or staff they are to carry. Unlike Solomon, who relied on the security of gold, the Apostles are to move about among the towns and villages of Galilee without money or food and rely on God’s providence and care and the generosity of those they serve. Unlike Solomon who began to worship false gods and build sanctuaries for demons like Chemosh and Molech (2 Kings 11:7), the Twelve are to drive out many demons in their ministry. Unlike Solomon, who consolidated his kingdom by gathering chariots and warhorses, the Kingdom of God the Apostles preach is one of trusting in God, being healed in body and spirit, and repenting from sin. One day, after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, the Apostles will be sent out into the whole world and be given the authority to forgive sins in Jesus’ name.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you are my king and my God. You have the words of everlasting life. The story of Solomon is tragic. He had a wise and understanding heart in his youth but was foolish in his old age. I do not want my life to end in tragedy. Guide my heart to love you more each day, to avoid the temptations of this world, and to be a light to all those I meet today.

Resolution: How many times have we bought something new and thrown out the instructions before reading them? Sometimes we are impatient to get started and try to figure it out on our own. Because of this, we sometimes end up making mistakes or misusing whatever we bought or even breaking it rendering it useless. Similarly, the instructions that God gives us through his Word are not to be discounted or set aside. They are not arbitrary commandments or divine whims that restrict our freedom. Rather, they are the path of love that leads us to true happiness and ultimate fulfillment! What commandments of the Lord do I ignore or struggle to follow? What commandments am I following and what effect does this have in my life?