FRIDAY JANUARY 19, 2024
FRIDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF THE ORDINARY TIME B
1 Samuel 24:2-20
Mark 3:13-19
THE RIGHT DISPOSITION IN FIGHTING ONES LIFES BATTLE
David the King teaches us what our disposition should be when confronted with the battle of life, especially in a life threatening, soul drenching and extermination of our lives. The King Saul who was his master left everything and out of jealousy for the many good things that David had done for the Israelites sought to kill David. Saul undermined the many saving feats carried out by David for the interest and wellbeing of the people of Israel. He was rather consumed by his passion of jealousy and envy knowing that David had shown better and much more achievement which was acclaimed by the people.
His anger against David was immeasurable and he tried unendingly to exterminate the life of David but was always caught and instead David found him and spared his life. It only points to the fact that evil must not be visited on anyone no matter what evil committed against one. There is need to exercise restrain and have the model of always showing love and affection instead of retaliation and hatred.
The best option for us is what David did today. David gave the evidence of how he would have murdered Saul but refrained for the very fact that Saul was the Lord’s anointed. We must show the same love and affection to people not because of anything but for the fact that they are images of God and carry the face and character of our creator who loves all and gives life to all.
It teaches us never to hurt, discredit, kill or even cause harm to people on any pretext whatsoever. In Nigeria, we are confronted with situations that suggest otherwise, with kidnappers, armed robbers, bandits and all forms of evil perpetuated by these evil minded persons. It is not that easy to absolve them and let them go. The tendency to put them to death is human and normal judging from their wickedness and threat to life of others.
But we must learn to show compassion and love. The argument to treat people on their own coin may arise or to offer the reason of self defense is also plausible but before God, David stands as model for us to imitate no matter what we think.
The call of the disciples of Jesus and their commissioning as his ambassadors to preach, teach and drive out demons is an indication of the radically different lifestyle and pure and holy mind of Christ that we must imbibe and follow. For Jesus took them to the mountain in order to instruct them on the ways to go and made a choice of them.
This is the difference that we must allow in our lives. We have been raised as Christians into another sphere of existence as his followers, and given such privilege, spirit and commissioning, we must strive to be like our master who gave up everything, submitted to death and never hurt anyone but rather showed love and affection to his adversaries even at the detriment of his life.
Heavenly Father, grant us your grace to be able to absolve all who offend us, to forgive those who hurt us, to accommodate those who treat us scornfully. May we always show love and affection, display peace and forgiveness and win through it the battle of life here on earth and gain the rewards of heaven through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Fr Norbert Uchuno
