Thursday of the 4th week in ordinary time
1 Kings 2: 1-4.10-12 Mark 6: 7-13
Theme: God sends
In the gospel of St. Mark today, we are told about how Jesus sent out the twelve two by two to go out and preach the good news to the people, and cure those who are sick. As he commissioned them, he gave them the power that they need for a successful ministry. This is very important, taking into consideration the fact that Jesus did not chose the most intelligent men among the people, he rather chose from the normal population of the people. Whenever he decides to choose you and send you, he provides you with all that is needed for the success of the ministry that you are embarking on. That is why you must never think that you are not good enough to carry out the mission of Christ, by propagating the good news of the kingdom. All that you need for the success of the ministry will be given to you by God himself. He will never fail or disappoint you when you are positively disposed towards accepting his invitation to be sent.
God never go after those who are already qualified to send them to partake of his ministry or take the word of the Lord to the ends of the earth. Rather, when he calls you, he will qualify and empower you for the ministry. The most important thing is for you to be willing to say, “Here I am Lord, I come to do your will”, and he will gladly use us as a worthy instrument in the propagation of the good news of the kingdom of God. In view of this, the main question for all of us today is, are you willing and ready to be a worthy instrument in the hand of God? If our answer is positive, then we are good to go. None of us is qualified or too good to be a worthy instrument in the hand of God. Our openness to the will of God, makes a lot of difference.
In the 1st reading of today, we see David in his last days admonishing his son Solomon to obey the word of God and put it into practice in his daily life. This is also the message that is given to all of us as children of God today. We must make honest and sincere effort to put the word of God that we hear into practice in our daily lives, and the blessings of God will abound in our lives. It is never too late for us to resolve to begin to do what is good and right in our daily lives. As you do this, may almighty God bless you in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit, Amen. Peace be with you.