(1 Kgs 2:1-4, 10-12; 1 Chr 29:10, 11ab, 11d-12a, 12bcd; Mk 6:7-13) 
What is the meaning of life? This is a question that has been the occupation of mankind’s heart and thought since he first walked on this earth. Let’s look at it personally. What is the meaning of my life? What is my purpose? Why do I get out of bed in the morning? Is it out of mere survival that I drag one foot, then the other, out of the warmth of my cozy blankets to face another day? Am I going through the motions because others count on me to do so; my husband and children depend on me, but are they my only purpose? And then what is their purpose? Are we all just surviving because the alternative is bleak, or are we truly living? There might be a lot of different answers….or attempts to answer such questions. The truth is there is only one real answer, which the bible reveals to us over, and over again (is the bible not the written word of God so that we may be taught and understand?). God. The meaning of life is found in the fact that life itself was created by an omnipotent being. I exist because of my creator, and for my creator. What is the meaning of my life? I answer this every time I pray the Nicene Creed: “I believe in one God, the Father almighty,maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God…”
We are made to know the one who made us; He is our meaning and our purpose. I can personally speak to this fact because of my conversion from lukewarm cradle Catholic, to devote lover of Christ. Before my conversion I struggled with happiness and purpose. I loved serving my husband, my children and my employer, but it didn’t fulfill me in the way I thought it should. Something was missing. Jesus was missing. Once I found him, every little task I did for my family, my community or myself was steeped in glorifying God the father and I now feel a peace, and a purpose that was not there before. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (Jn 14:6). We know this to be true and we know it to be the only way to a life lived in the spirit….love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self control (Gal 5:22-23). The answer to the most profound question ever asked is really quite simple, and yet it can allude us if we fail to take the instructions of the bible deep into our hearts.
The book of Kings is a look at a time in history, and the leaders of that time. The purpose of the history lesson is really the instruction repeated through out the whole bible; that we are called to put God first in our life, to be obedient to Him, to praise Him and give Him thanks in good times and in bad. David’s instructions to his sons could be our own fathers instructions to us:
Keep the mandate of the LORD, your God, following his ways
and observing his statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees
as they are written in the law of Moses.” 1 Kgs 2:3
This is the most important lesson we could ever possibly be taught and we need to be reminded of it over, and over again. It requires that we let God rule over us, in all that we do, and we take heed to remember that this is for our benefit. He rules not as a dictator and tyrant, but as a loving and tender father. We know that humans have failed in this instruction, time and time again, so much that God himself came to us, incarnate, born as a humble human baby, to save us from ourselves. The messianic fulfillment in the person of Jesus, who is both fully human, and fully divine, fills our hearts with joy and gratitude. We are called to do more than just believe in God, Son, and Holy Spirit, we are called to discipleship which means that we strive to live the gospel each and every day. In our Gospel reading today from Mark, Jesus instructs his twelve apostles in their mission so that they might go spread his message. We are all called to discipleship, to follow The Way and to teach others about it. It takes trust, courage and obedience to listen to God’s will for us and it also takes practice. How we can use our gifts to spread the good news of God’s love through his son Jesus Christ? What are our gifts? This is something to spend time contemplating and acting on. Jesus instructed his twelve apostles to take nothing with them on their journey, emphasizing the need to rely totally on God. There is that instruction again to put faith and trust in the Lord first. In faith, they went out to accomplish their mission, or their works, which Jesus helped them understand. Faith is perfected through love. Love is the action.
Let us not neglect our studies. Each of us needs to learn the lessons the bible has recorded for us over and over again. Struggles will be a part of our journey, and from the struggle we take deep into our hearts the fruits of what we have learned. Let us carry these fruits forward and let them be action in our lives. Let us pray as David did:
Blessed are you, Lord, God of Israel our father from eternity to eternity. Yours, Lord, are greatness and might, majesty, victory, and splendor. For all in heaven and on earth is yours; yours, Lord, is kingship; you are exalted as head over all. Riches and glory are from you, and you have dominion over all. In your hand are power and might; it is yours to give greatness and strength to all. Therefore, our God, we give you thanks and we praise the majesty of your name” (1Chr 29:10-13).
Amen.
