Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2

• First Reading - 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12: David, nearing his end, counseled Solomon to steadfastly follow God, ensuring prosperity and fulfilling God's promise for a lasting royal lineage. David's reign ended, and Solomon's began firmly.
• Responsorial Psalm - 1 Chronicles 29: Blessed be the Lord, our ancestors' God, forever. He embodies greatness, power, and supreme rule. From Him comes all wealth, honor, and strength.
• Gospel - Mark 6:7-13: Jesus empowered the Twelve Apostles, sending them in pairs with authority over evil spirits. He instructed them to travel light, relying on hospitality, and to stay in one house per location. If unwelcomed, they were to leave, symbolically shaking off dust. They preached repentance, cast out demons, and healed the sick.

The themes for Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 encompass several key spiritual and moral concepts:

• Legacy and Leadership: In the first reading, David's counsel to Solomon highlights the importance of righteous leadership and the legacy one leaves behind. It underlines the responsibility of leaders to follow God's commands to ensure the well-being and spiritual prosperity of those they lead.
• Obedience to God: David's advice to Solomon emphasizes the necessity of obedience to God's commandments as a cornerstone for a successful and blessed life. This theme connects to the Gospel where the Apostles follow Jesus' instructions faithfully.
• Trust in Providence: Jesus sending out the Apostles with minimal provisions in the Gospel signifies reliance on God's providence. The instruction to travel light and depend on others' hospitality teaches trust in God to provide through various means.
• Mission and Evangelization: The mission of the Apostles, to preach repentance, cast out demons, and heal, speaks to the Christian call to evangelize. This theme emphasizes the importance of spreading God's word and being active instruments of His work.
• Authority Over Evil: The authority given to the Apostles over evil spirits symbolizes the power of faith and God’s grace in overcoming evil and sin in the world.
• Receptivity and Rejection: The guidance to stay in one house and shake off the dust if unwelcome illustrates dealing with acceptance and rejection in ministry. It teaches resilience and the understanding that not all will be receptive to the Gospel message.
• Simplicity and Detachment: The instruction for the Apostles to travel without extra provisions suggests a theme of simplicity and detachment from material possessions, focusing instead on spiritual richness.

These themes for Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, deeply rooted in both Scripture readings, offer rich material for reflection and application in various aspects of Christian life and ministry, especially in teaching, preaching, and personal spiritual growth.

As we reflect on the Gospel reading for Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, from Mark 6:7-13, we are invited into a deep understanding of what it means to be a disciple of Christ. The scene of Jesus sending out the Twelve Apostles is a powerful image of trust, mission, and reliance on God's providence. In this passage, Jesus empowers them with authority over unclean spirits and instructs them to travel light, carrying only the essentials, and to depend on the hospitality of strangers. This simplicity and trust in God resonate deeply with our call to discipleship.

The Gospel's emphasis on mission and evangelization is profound. Jesus sends the Apostles out in pairs, signifying the importance of community and support in the Christian journey. Their mission is to preach repentance, cast out demons, and heal the sick. This holistic approach to ministry – addressing both spiritual and physical needs – is a model for the Church's mission in the world. The Apostles’ reliance on the hospitality of others also teaches us about trust in Divine Providence. Just as the Apostles were instructed to stay in one house and accept the hospitality offered to them, we too are called to trust in God’s provision through the people and circumstances He places in our lives.

In the context of the first reading from 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12, where David counsels Solomon, we see a parallel in the passing of wisdom and authority. David’s advice to Solomon to keep God’s statutes and commands reminds us that our actions and leadership should be grounded in faithfulness to God’s word. This fidelity is mirrored in the Apostles as they obediently follow Christ's instructions, showing us the importance of obedience in our own faith journey.

The theme of receptivity and rejection in the Gospel is particularly striking. Jesus tells His Apostles that if any place does not welcome them or listen to them, they are to shake the dust off their feet as a testimony against them. This instruction is not just about rejection; it's also a lesson in humility and detachment. As modern-day disciples, we are reminded that not everyone will receive the message of the Gospel. Our responsibility is to share God’s love and leave the outcome to Him.

Furthermore, the call to simplicity and detachment is powerfully relevant today. In a world often consumed by materialism and excess, the example of the Apostles traveling with only the bare necessities is a counter-cultural witness to the value of spiritual riches over material wealth.

In conclusion, the Gospel for Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 invites us to embrace our mission as disciples with trust, simplicity, and a deep reliance on God's providence. It challenges us to preach the Gospel through our words and actions, trusting in God’s plan, even in the face of rejection or hardship. Just as Solomon was called to lead with fidelity to God and the Apostles were sent to minister with simplicity and faith, we too are called to live out our discipleship with courage, humility, and unwavering faith in God’s guiding hand.

Prayer

Lord, guide us to embrace our mission with trust and humility. May we follow Your example of simplicity and reliance on the Father, preaching Your word with courage and love, always grounded in Your eternal wisdom and grace. Amen.

USCCB Reflection: An Unknown Journey

The USCCB reflection for Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, centers on Jesus' transformative call to His disciples, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." This simple yet powerful invitation changed their lives, emphasizing the universal nature of Jesus' message and its enduring relevance. The reflection connects this call to contemporary challenges, highlighting the importance of living the Gospel in daily life and standing against injustices. It underscores the discipleship's enduring impact and the spiritual depth inherent in following Jesus, a path marked by both suffering and profound fulfillment. We are also called to go out and declare the gospel.

What date is Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Cycle 1 is used in odd numbered years and Cycle 2 is used in even numbered years. The gospel is the same for both years. For odd numbered years see Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

What are the Mass readings for Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Thursday February 5, 2026 are:
First Reading  - 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12: David's Final Charge to Solomon
Responsorial Psalm - 1 Chronicles 29: God's Eternal Sovereignty
Gospel - Mark 6:7-13: The Twelve Sent Out

What is the central message of the Gospel reading for Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The central message is about Jesus empowering His Apostles to spread His teachings, emphasizing trust in God’s provision, simplicity, and the importance of evangelization.

How does the first reading for Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 relate to the Gospel reading?

The first reading about David’s advice to Solomon parallels the Gospel’s theme of guidance and leadership, emphasizing the importance of following God's commandments and righteous leadership.

What can we learn about leadership from Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 readings?

Both readings highlight the importance of godly leadership, obedience to God’s commands, and the responsibility leaders have in guiding others in faith and righteousness.

Why did Jesus instruct the Apostles to travel light in the Gospel reading for Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Jesus instructed them to travel light to teach reliance on God's providence, encourage simplicity, and focus on their spiritual mission over material concerns.

How does Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 readings address the theme of evangelization?

The readings emphasize the Christian duty to spread the Gospel, with Jesus commissioning the Apostles to preach, heal, and cast out demons, symbolizing the Church’s mission in the world.

What lesson on material possessions is taught in Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 Gospel?

The Gospel teaches detachment from material possessions, urging believers to focus on spiritual wealth and trust in God rather than accumulating material goods.

Is there a connection between Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 readings and modern-day Christian life?

Yes, these readings remind modern Christians of the importance of living a life grounded in faith, obedience to God, evangelization, and reliance on God's provision.

How can we apply the teachings from Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 in our daily lives?

We can apply these teachings by practicing faithfulness to God's commands, being good leaders in our communities, trusting in God's provision, and actively participating in spreading the Gospel through our words and actions.