In today’s readings we see two examples of successors receiving their marching orders: Solomon and the Twelve. In Solomon’s case it is parting advice from his dying father. In the Twelve’s case Our Lord is preparing them to be his successors when his work on earth is finished. David was returning to his fathers; Our Lord had to eventually return to his Father, since, as David described, he had to also go “the way of all flesh.” The important difference was that David’s reign ended but, as the Lord promised him, his descendant Jesus’ reign endures forever. Our Lord is forever King.
Solomon received all the power that was his father’s. The Twelve received power and authority from Our Lord, but as participants and custodians. Just as Solomon would succeed if he observed and watched over the Law, the Twelve would accomplish their mission if they observed the Gospel entrusted to them by Jesus and lived as he lived. In the end the Twelve had much better results than Solomon, who didn’t remain completely faithful to the Law until the end.
We too have inherited the Gospel. Let’s strive to be worthy bearers of it, under the guidance of our bishops and the Holy Father, and to exercise a spiritual leadership wherever our path of life leads us.
Readings: 1 Kings 2:1–4, 10–12; 1 Chronicles 29:10–11b, 11d–12d; Mark 6:7–13. See also 14th Week In Ordinary Time, Thursday, 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B, and 25th Week in Ordinary Time, Wednesday.