January 19, 2016

Jan. 19

January 19, 2016:  Tuesday, 2nd week, Ordinary Time

See 12 connections with today?
Legend below
Listen

For the psalm
Pope Francis homily
The Lord rejected Saul because his heart was closed, he hadn't obeyed, and he decided to choose another king.  God's choice of the boy David was far from human standards, but the Lord made it clear to Samuel that he looks beyond appearances into the heart.  We're often slaves of appearances and pursue them, but God knows the truth.  To people's eyes David didn't count, but the Lord chose him, the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him, and David's life was anointed by the Lord.  Did the Lord make him a saint?  No; King David is saint King David, but he became a saint after living a long life during which he sinned.  Saint and sinner, he united the Kingdom and led Israel but fell into temptation; he committed sins including murder to cover up his adultery.  When God sent Nathan to point it out to him, he acknowledged his sin and asked for forgiveness.
His life went on. He suffered personally following his son's betrayal but never used God for his own purpose.  When he was forced to flee from Jerusalem, he sent back the ark and said he wouldn't use the Lord in his defense. When he was insulted, he said to himself, “I deserve it.”  He was magnanimous.  He could have killed Saul but didn't.  Saint King David, a great sinner but a repentant one.  His life moves me and makes me think of my own.  The Lord has chosen and consecrated us all to be part of his people, to be saints.  Reading about this boy's life, from boyhood to old age, during which he did good and not-so-good things, makes me think that during the Christian journey, there's no saint without a past and no sinner without a future.
Read
  • 1 Sm 16:1-13  God sent Samuel to Jesse, one of whose his sons he'd chosen as king.   Samuel invited Jesse and his sons to the sacrifice.  He saw Eliab and thought, “He must be the one,” but God said, “Don't judge from appearance; I've rejected him.”  Other sons followed, but Samuel told Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of them.  Do you have any others?”  “There is the youngest.”  “Send for him.”  Jesse had the young man brought to them.  Handsome, he made a splendid appearance.  The Lord said, “Anoint him!”  Samuel anointed David, on whom the Spirit of the Lord rushed. 
  • Ps 89:20-22, 27-28  "I have found David, my servant."  “I've anointed him.  I'll always be with him and make him strong, the highest of the kings.”
  • Mk 2:23-28  While his disciples were picking heads of grain, Pharisees / Jesus:  “Why are they doing what's unlawful on the sabbath?” / “When David and his companions were hungry, they ate the bread of offering from the house of God.  The sabbath was made for man.  That's why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”
Reflect
    • Creighton:  The Lord sees what people can't.  His choice for king of Israel wasn't what people thought.  The eldest son is the heir and has more experience, and the handsome son was favored, but it was neither.  “Don't judge from appearance....”  He looked into the heart and chose the youngest. / The Pharisees complained the disciples were breaking the Sabbath by harvesting grain, but Jesus said that even David ate the offering bread when he was starving; need superseded law.  Jesus says he supersedes the law.  The intent of the law is different from the letter of the law.  The Lord can distinguish from abusing the law and acting out of necessity.  The Sabbath, day of rest and opportunity to praise God, is for people’s benefit.  The Lord sees our abilities when we don't and knows our hopes and fears....
    • One Bread, One Body:  "A fresh anointing":  Though we may be grieving, let's not grieve the Holy Spirit; let's receive a fresh anointing of the Spirit and anoint others with his power.  May God's anointing be renewed in our lives.  Lord, show me someone you can anoint with the Spirit.  As Samuel ministered the Spirit to David, Ananias to Saul, Peter to Cornelius, and Paul to 12 Ephesians, may I follow the Lord's lead and anoint someone...
    • Passionist:  Samuel didn’t want to admit that Saul, the king he'd anointed, needed to be replaced.  But God told him, "I've rejected him as king.  How long will you grieve for him?  Be on your way.”  We want to cling to our past, with things that don't please God.  But God doesn't see as we do!  God’s will is more loving, merciful, generous, and grace-filled than mine.  Acknowledging I'm powerless before God is the first step to receiving grace to overcome our mess.  May the Father enlighten us, that we may know the hope that belongs to our call.
    • DailyScripture.net:  "The Son of man is Lord of the Sabbath":  The religious leaders confronted Jesus on the meaning of the Sabbath, a day set apart to praise God and his good works, where everyday work stops to provide needed rest.  They scolded his disciples for plucking and eating corn on the Sabbath.  Jesus defended them, arguing that human need has precedence over ritual.  Withholding kindness in response to human need was not part of God’s intention that we rest from unnecessary labor.  How do I honor the Lord in my treatment of others and celebration of the Lord's Day?
      • Wulstan, monk made bishop, known as confessor, cared for poor and sick, demanded high standards.
      • Faolan/Fillan of Munster, hermit/monk
    Dress legend
    • 'Crown' tie bar:  Samuel anointed David king (1st reading); "on a champion I've placed a crown" (psalm)
    • 'Silverware' tie bar:  "Join me for the banquet" (1st reading)
    • 'Eyeball' pin; 'hearts' tie:  People see appearances; God looks into the heart (1st reading); once you spoke in a vision (psalm)
    • 'Sheep' tie bar:  David was tending the sheep (1st reading)
    • 'Hand' tie pin:  I've anointed David so my hand may always be with him (psalm)
    • 'Rock' tie pin:  He'll say, "You're my God, my Rock" (psalm)
    • 'Wheat' pin:  Jesus was passing through a grain field (gospel)
    • Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season
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