As we celebrate the memorial of St. Agatha, the final speech of David to his son, Solomon, stands out as a source of instruction for us today. In the first reading (1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12), King David urges Solomon to embrace courage, maturity, and obedience, grounding his leadership in faithful devotion to God. Interestingly, he emphasizes that strength is not merely physical or political, but spiritual, something rooted in keeping God’s commandments and walking in His ways.
Implicit in this charge from King David is the sacred duty of elders to guide the young with wisdom, modeling integrity and reverence for God’s law. Through such mentorship, the next generation learns that true success flows from righteousness and wholehearted faith. The elder’s guidance becomes a living pathway toward grace, stability, and purpose, empowering them to lead rightly and to preserve a legacy anchored in God’s covenant.
We pray for our elders today, as well as our young people, to be guided right and to lead righteously, like St. Agatha.
