SATURDAY FEBRUARY 3, 2024
SATURDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF THE ORDINARY TIME B
1 King 3:4-13
Mark 6:30-34
LOVING ACCEPTANCE OF THE PLANS OF GOD
Returning from the mission of preaching and teaching that Jesus sent his disciples, the next was to seek for a comfortable place to get some rest and reflect more on what had been done. This was the plan of Jesus for his disciples. But unknowing to them that the crowds were still needing their service, that they were being sought for and trailed, such that they was no hiding place or rest for them. So as they stepped out of the ship, the crowds were already on ground waiting for them.
This was the situation of Jesus and his disciples to the point that they could not even get the needed rest, have no more privacy and were being chased to continue their healing and teaching. But the genuineness of the crowd in seeking their help can be seen as they were described as “sheep without a shepherd”. So the only solution was to set out again teaching, healing, admonishing and attending to them.
The turn of event has found the disciples not able to take the needed rest. They had to attend to the people who were needy, dejected and in want. Their compassionate and loving heart could not denied these people of the care and love of God. They again began inconveniencing themselves, setting out to do the needful, being serviceable to the people and faithfully carrying out this assigned task and forgetting themselves.
Doing the will of God is what we are taught and instructed by this act. Sometimes we find ourselves struggling to undertake some task but find ourselves being directed towards other tasks that demand a lot of compassion and love. Keying into the plan of God is necessary and important for our wellbeing. We must always be intent to do what we are directed, urged and guided to do for the sake of love and compassion that we feel even though we initially had a different plan.
The appointment and anointing of Solomon King of Israel came with its challenges, blessings and tasks. But when asked to make a request of what the king needed by God, king Solomon was more focused on the things that will endear him to be efficient, effective and sincere in carrying out the assigned task and invariably carrying out the will of God perfectly. He requested for wisdom, knowledge and not any personal thing.
This was commended by God and he was granted much more than he asked because he keyed into the will of God. Submitting to the counsel of our God, upholding the sanctity of our God, doing the bidding of God should be our preoccupation at all times. It should be our earnest desires and sure way to walk with God in our lives and attend to his ways. It is the way of blessing and life.
Heavenly Father, grant us a greater desire to follow your ways and listen to your voice like a trustful lamb. May we seek your counsel in all matters and be prompted to walk along with you in this journey of life. Shield us from all harms, protect us from all evils. As we work for your kingdom and our salvation, rule and guide us to greater happiness, peace and progress in our lives through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Fr Norbert Uchuno
