Read 1 Kings 2:1-4,10-12, 1 Chronicles 29:10-12, Mark 6:7-13 “
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.” (1 Kings 2:3)
Our first reading today chronicles the end of David’s life; a young man who came into the scene as a shepherd boy, the youngest son of Jesse who, by God’s Divine choice rose to the position of the King of Israel. The life of David is like a book of many chapters containing so many life lessons.
As David was about to die, he called his Son Solomon and gave him the best leadership ever, which can be summarised as follows: “Keep God’s commandments and everything will go well for you.” This advice came out of the depth of David’s own reflection about his life. David learned in a bitter way that things did not go well for him whenever he went against God’s instructions.
David did not want Solomon to make the same mistakes he made. “If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail you a man on the throne of Israel.” (1 Kings 2:4).
The truth is that God’s commandments represent the terms and conditions of our covenant relationship with Him. By ignoring these commandments, we deliberately remove ourselves from this relationship and expose ourselves to danger. If we play our part and do what pleases God, God fulfills His promises to us.
In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus sends his disciples to go and preach and in doing so, Jesus gave them specific instructions to guide their missionary enterprise. So long as they were faithful to these instructions, they were extremely successful.
These disciples who once feared for their lives out there on the sea, the disciples who had a hard time grappling with the Divinity of Jesus, who wondered at how Jesus was able to cure the demoniac are now the ones preaching, casting out demons, and healing sick people.
Truly, there is no limit to what we can achieve when we follow God’s instructions and keep His commandments. By our obedience to God, we give God the freedom to work through us and we enjoy His protection and grace.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, whenever I feel like disobeying your commandments, help me to remember what I stand to gain by allowing your will to be done. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. (Thursday of week 4 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 1 Kings 2:1-4,10-12, 1 Chronicles 29:10-12, Mark 6:7-13).