DAILY- HOMILY

Thursday 4th Week in Ordinary Time
1 Kgs 2: 1-4,10,12 / 1 Chr 29: 10,11ab,11d-12a,12cd / Mk 6: 7-13
 [Memorial Paul Miki & Companions; St. Pedro Bautista]

Reading: 1 Kgs 2: 1-4,10,12
When David was about to die, he gave his son Solomon this instruction, "I am about to go the way of all creatures. Be strong and show yourself a man. Keep the commandments of Yahweh your God and walk in his ways. Keep his statutes, his commands, his ordinances and declarations written in the law of Moses, that you may succeed in whatever you do and wherever you go. If you do so, Yahweh will fulfill the promise he made to me: 'If your sons take care to walk before me faithfully with their whole heart and their whole soul, you shall always have one of your descendants on the throne of Israel.' Then David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the city of David. So Solomon sat on the throne of David his father and his reign was firmly established.   

Gospel: Mk 6: 7-13
He called the Twelve to him, and began to send them out two by two, giving them authority over evil spirits. And he ordered them to take nothing for the journey, except a staff: no food, no bag, no money in their belts. They were to wear sandals and were not to take an extra tunic. And he added, "In whatever house you are welcomed, stay there until you leave the place. If any place doesn't receive you, and the people refuse to listen to you, leave after shaking the dust off your feet. It will be a testimony against them." So they set out to proclaim that this was the time to repent. They drove out many demons and healed many sick people by anointing them. 

Reflection:
To bring no provisions when going on a journey is really unthinkable. If we were in the place of the disciples, how would we have reacted? We would certainly welcome being sent on a mission with another companion, but why did our Lord give such an impractical stipulation as to "take nothing for the journey?" These two conditions which the Lord imposed on his disciples were meant to inculcate in his followers (and that includes us today) the right disposition or attitude in the work we are called to do. It is a way of emptying ourselves to rely on others which is a very humbling experience. What a good way to teach us faith and trust in every aspect of our life. As for the command to go with a companion, not only is it an encouragement to go to unknown territories with a supportive companion, but it also awakens in us the realization that in everything we do, we are part of a much greater undertaking. Can we be less attached to our talents, our achievements, our treasure, knowing that all of these are God's gifts that must be shared with our needy brothers, thus reinforcing the teachings on love?

Prayer Requests:
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
… for families who are in need of healing
… for world peace and reconciliation.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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