Daily Catholic Lectio
Thu, 1 February 2024
Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12. Mark 6:7-13
Participants in mission
Today is the first day of February, a new month. Let us think of the past month, thank God for his benevolence towards us, and pray that this month may be a month of blessing, success, and prosperity.
Mark, who records the appointment of the apostles, writes, “Jesus chose and appointed them to be with him and to be sent out” (cf. Mk 3:14). In the gospel reading of the day, Jesus, who called his apostles to be with him, sends them out two-by-two on mission.
Three things are worth noting in the narrative, and they are the challenges to us:
(a) ‘He gave them authority’
Jesus was convinced from the beginning that the apostles or disciples are not mere followers; they are participants in mission. By giving a share of his authority, Jesus not only empowers the apostles but also equates them to himself. He trusts that they will carry the mission forward. And, like Jesus, they must subdue evil, its power, and its actions. Every baptised individual is a partner in mission, having the authority of Jesus. Are we aware of this privilege? And are we in control of evil in our life situations?
(b) Minimalist living
Jesus teaches his disciples to live not only a minimalist lifestyle but also an essentialist way of life, i.e., to declutter our cupboards, bags, and minds. When it was thought that one who has more is more, Jesus proposed an alternative worldview: ‘I am what I am, not what I have.’ He wants his disciples to imitate him in poverty (cf. Mt 8:20). He makes them realise that “life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (cf. Lk 12:15). Minimalist living is proposed today as a lifestyle. Social media and internet decluttering are the needs of the hour.
(c) Honour from within
Jesus instructs his apostles that the greatest honour that comes to us is that which comes from within us. The criticisms, rejections, and misunderstandings that we face from without must not be taken into heart. How do we handle the negative criticism without?
In the first reading, David installs Solomon as his successor to the throne. David embraces life, saying, “I am about to go the way of all the earth.” David not only accepts the realities of life but also surrenders to them. David makes Solomon a participant in the mission as the king of Israel.
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In our journey towards the synodal church, we must realise that we are participants in a mission. The Synthesis Report, in fact, underlines this. We are not mere spectators of the church’s celebrations, nor are we mere followers of our church leaders. When we encourage participation, we will tap human resources better and make our Church richer. (Jubilee A. D. 2025, bite 21).
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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