First reading 1 Kings 2:1-4,10-12
David’s dying exhortation to Solomon
As David’s life drew to its close he laid this charge on his son Solomon, ‘I am going the way of all the earth. Be strong and show yourself a man. Observe the injunctions of the Lord your God, following his ways and keeping his laws, his commandments, his customs and his decrees, as it stands written in the Law of Moses, that so you may be successful in all you do and undertake, so that the Lord may fulfil the promise he made me, “If your sons are careful how they behave, and walk loyally before me with all their heart and soul, you shall never lack for a man on the throne of Israel.”’
So David slept with his ancestors and was buried in the Citadel of David. David’s reign over Israel lasted forty years: he reigned in Hebron for seven years, and in Jerusalem for thirty-three.
Solomon was seated upon the throne of David, and his sovereignty was securely established.
Responsorial Psalm 1 Chronicles 29:10-12
You, Lord, are the ruler of all.
May you be blessed, O Lord,
the God of Israel, our father,
for ever, for ages unending!
Yours, Lord, are greatness and power,
and splendour, triumph, and glory.
All is yours, in heaven and on earth.
Yours, Lord, is the kingdom;
you are supreme above all.
Both honour and riches come from you.
You are the ruler of all,
from your hand come strength and power;
from your hand come greatness and might.
Gospel Mark 6:7-13
‘Take nothing with you’
Jesus made a tour round the villages, teaching. Then he summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs giving them authority over the unclean spirits. And he instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no haversack, no coppers for their purses. They were to wear sandals but, he added, ‘Do not take a spare tunic.’ And he said to them, ‘If you enter a house anywhere, stay there until you leave the district. And if any place does not welcome you and people refuse to listen to you, as you walk away shake off the dust from under your feet as a sign to them.’ So they set off to preach repentance; and they cast out many devils, and anointed many sick people with oil and cured them.
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Trust, because you do not walk alone
In today’s Gospel, Jesus sends out the Twelve and asks them to travel light, no extra food, no money, no security. This is not simply a lesson in hardship but an invitation to trust. By letting go of what usually makes them feel safe, the disciples learn to depend on God and the kindness of others.
In our own lives, we often carry many loads: worries, a need for control, fear of rejection, or a need for success. Jesus reminds us that these can weigh us down and distract us from our true mission. Living lightly helps us stay focused on what really matters in life: love, presence, and faithfulness. Today, we are called to trust God in simplicity, to serve with humility, and to walk forward even when the path is uncertain. When we dare to let go, we discover that God provides what we truly need along the way.
Reflective question:
What am I being asked to let go of in order to trust God more deeply and live my life and mission with greater freedom and simplicity?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD
