Thursday 3 February 2022

Today is Thursday the 3rd of February, in the fourth week of Ordinary time.


The monks of Pluscarden Abbey sing Laetetur cor quaerentium:

Let the heart of those who seek the Lord rejoice; seek the Lord and be strengthened, seek his face always. Entering into prayer today, I too am seeking the Lord, seeking his face, looking for the signs of his presence in my life, gently guiding me in truth and peace and love.

Today’s reading is from the First Book of Kings.

1 Kings 2: 1-4, 10, 12

When David’s time to die drew near, he charged his son Solomon, saying: ‘I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, be courageous, and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his ordinances, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn. Then the Lord will establish his word that he spoke concerning me: “If your heirs take heed to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail you a successor on the throne of Israel.”

Then David slept with his ancestors, and was buried in the city of David. So, Solomon sat on the throne of his father David; and his kingdom was firmly established.

We hear in today’s reading about the death of King David, and his final words for his son Solomon, who was about to take up responsibility for the throne of Israel and would have needed great strength and courage to do so.

What most struck you as you listened to the reading?

Among his instructions, David tells Solomon to ‘Keep the charge of the Lord your God in your life - to walk in faithfulness with all your heart and soul.’

What does it mean to you to walk in faithfulness?

Can you let these words challenge and encourage you today on your journey with God?

Now recall a leader you know who carries great responsibility.

What might they most need today, perhaps wisdom, kindness, strength, courage? Hold this leader in prayer before God, asking for God’s blessing on them today.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.