2 Sam
5:1-7, 10 / Mark 3:22-30
J. S.
Abbott wrote a biography of Napoleon Bonaparte. In it, “the little corporal”
says: “I have so inspired men that they would die for me…. The lightning of my
eye, my voice, a word from me, then the sacred fire was kindled in their
hearts. do, indeed, possess the secret of this magical power that lifts the
soul.” David, too, possessed a priceless charism that could lift people’s soul and
inspire them to do remarkable things. David’s natural charism was greatly
enhanced by grace. In the words of today’s reading, the “Lord God Almighty
was with him.”
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How are we putting our gifts to work for God? “What we
are is God’s gift to us. What we become is our gift back to God.” Raphael Simon
****
We all know this very useful advice: Think before you
speak. Generally speaking, most of us do think before we speak. In fact, we have
to think before words can come out of our mouths. The question is what are our
thoughts. If we have kind thoughts, then our words will be kind. If we have bad
thoughts, then our words will just follow suit. More so in a contest when the
outcome is not that certain, it would be wise not to boast of strength or
victory just yet.
In the 1st reading,
the Jebusites defending Jerusalem taunted David by saying, "You will never
get in here. The blind and the lame will hold you off".
Those are very
boastful and prideful words, especially when they were under siege. The
Jebusites will have to suffer for the folly of their words.
In the gospel, the
scribes used words that only exposed what was in their minds and hearts.
Without understanding the truth of the matter, they made accusations against
Jesus that were evils in themselves.
From today's readings,
we get this lesson - Be kind and gentle. Always think before you speak because
the words we choose can only be forgiven but not forgotten.
May we always speak to Jesus first
so that we can taste our words before we speak them out to others.
****Saint Vincent Pallotti - Confessor (1795-1850)
Saint Vincent Pallotti, born in Rome, was the apostle of the Eternal City at a difficult period of time in history. Raised up an apostle to undo the spiritual harm wrought by the Napoleonic wars, he is called a second Philip Neri because of his tireless labours in the confessional and the pulpit and his boundless charity towards the poor, the sick and the unfortunate, to whom he would give away the very shoes and clothes he was wearing.
Having obtained his Doctorates in Philosophy and Theology, he taught Theology for 10 years. With the commencement of his apostolate among students, it soon became clear that Rome possessed a holy priest. His influence as Confessor over Propaganda College, the Roman Seminary, and an English College was deeply profound, hardly a waking moment remaining unemployed. He went to Confession each day before Mass, during which he often had ecstasies, before beginning his day’s work of preaching in churches and in the open, giving retreats, visiting hospitals and prisons, even hearing confessions late into the night.
Vincent’s zeal embraced the whole world and every need, spiritual and material. For this universal objective he founded the Society of Catholic Apostolate (Pallottines) and the Sisters of the Catholic Apostolate. Conscious of the value and necessity of the lay apostolate he founded guilds for workers, agricultural schools, loan associations, orphanages and homes for girls, thus initiating a social programme that was later formulated and set forth by a friend of his youth, Pope Leo XIII. Pius XI called him “a pioneer and precursor of Catholic Action”.
He died aged only 55 and was beatified 100 years later by Pope Pius XII who cited “this great sacerdotal figure” as an example for Parish Priests and preachers, saying, “May his spirit be renewed in every one of you and infuse into your apostolate that irresistible glow of love which the doubting, uncertain and suffering men of today need much.”
Vincent Pallotti, whose body lies incorrupt in the church of San Salvatore in Rome, was canonized on 20 January 1963, i.e. during Vatican II.
Reflection: “The devil strains every nerve to secure the souls which belong to Christ. We should not grudge our toil in wresting them from Satan, and giving them back to God” (Saint Sebastian).
****
LITURGY
LED BY GOD´S GOOD SPIRIT
Introduction
When Saul was still alive, David had tried to win over the
northern tribes to accept him as their king, but they did not dare. Now, after
Saul’s death, they come to David and he is crowned king in their presence, to
rule over all the tribes. It is strange and really sounds like ill will when
the Scribes ascribe the good that Jesus does, especially that he drives out
demons, to the power of Satan, the prince of demons. Should they not have
recognized that God’s Spirit was working in Jesus? In messianic times, the Jews
expected the Spirit of God to overcome the spirits of evil, and in Jesus, the
good Spirit was visibly active. We too have to make our option between God’s
Spirit and the spirits of evil that make us sin. If we hear the word of God and
act accordingly, we let God’s Spirit overcome evil in and around us.
Opening Prayer
God our Father, you are the origin of all that is good. Let
our heart not be a house divided between good and evil. Send us your good
Spirit to enlighten and guide us, to give us joy and strength and to follow
your Son wherever he leads us on the road of goodness and service. We ask you
this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.
Commentary
By either ancient or modern standards, David had a long
reign as ruler of an entire country: thirty-three years. As today’s reading
states, it was at an early stage that he captured Jerusalem, with the overthrow
of the Jebusites, who held Zion, which became known as the city of David. As
disappointing as Saul had been, David began his reign on a very positive note.
As we look at the long list of monarchs who followed, we only regret that the
note of quality was not maintained. The fact is that, overall, the kingship in
Israel and Judah was a monumental failure. Most of the kings were guilty of
corruption that wreaked havoc among the Hebrew people. Was it absolutism that
caused the country’s moral disarray? As Lord Acton famously said, “Power tends
to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” The breakdown in faithful
Yahwism soon became eminently clear. There was the imitation of foreign courts,
the importation of pagan brides, the introduction of pagan cult, and rampant
commercialism. The major defeats that Israel experienced during the first
millennium were explained in terms of religious infidelity and moral
waywardness. Who can deny that in our times we need to return to our moral
compass? Materialism, consumerism, moral indifference are all part of the modem
landscape. The responsibilities of family life confront us at every turn. With
courage we must put our hand to the plow and not look back. The Gospel today
invites us again to ally ourselves with Christ and not with Satan. And once we
grasp the good, let us be agents in bringing it to the world.
Points to Ponder
Civil authority and public morality
Our alliance with Christ
Seeking the common good.
Intercessions
– That all the Churches that believe in Christ may overcome
their division and become one in the Lord, who brought them pardon and peace,
we pray:
– That all those who are hardened by sin may be touched by
the Spirit of the Lord to repent and to change their ways, we pray:
– That our communities may accept those who have erred, defend
the weak and the victims of injustice and bear witness to the mercy of God, we
pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Father, bread and wine are the simple signs whereby your Son
makes himself present to the people you have chosen. Fill these offerings with
your Spirit, that they may become your Son. Fill us with the same Holy Spirit, that
he makes us the people that belongs to you and serves you. We ask this through
Christ our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
God our Father, through your Holy Spirit, we have heard the
words of your Son. Let them become, through the same Spirit words that set us
afire with zeal for your kingdom and with love for one another. Let it be a
fire that cannot be extinguished. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Blessing
A country or a family or a community that is divided cannot
stand. We should all be led by the same Spirit. That does not mean that we all
have to be the same like clones, for the Spirit is rich enough with his variety
of gifts. May God pour out his good Spirit on us and bless us, the Father, and
the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
