2 Sam 6:12-15, 17-19 / Mark 3:31-35
David
brings the ark to Jerusalem: Everyone rejoiced.
The
film Raiders of the
Lost Ark rekindled interest in the Ark of the Covenant. The ark
was a wooden box, about four feet by two feet by two feet, overlaid with gold.
On the top of the ark were two cherubim whose wings formed a canopy. (Exodus
25:20) “There was nothing inside . . .except the two stone tablets which Moses
had placed there at Mount Sinai when the Lord
made a covenant with the people of Israel.” 1 Kings 8:9.
2 Maccabees
2:5 says that Jeremiah hid the ark in a cave when the Temple was destroyed in
587 b.c. It has never
been found. When and where do we experience God’s presence most vividly and
joyfully?
****
“Do not
be afraid or discouraged, for I, the Lord
your God, am with you wherever you go.” Joshua
1:9
****
The Church teaches that the
Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. And if we truly
believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, we would be rushing to
go for Mass the first thing in the morning and churches would be having Masses
every hour. Would that sound incredible to us? And if that sounds incredible to
us, then what is it that we believe in and what is the Mass to us?
In the 1st reading, we heard how
David was dressed in only a linen garment and danced before the Lord with all
his might. That was actually a very incredible thing for a king to do - to lay
aside his royal robes and to be dressed in a linen garment (which symbolizes a
priestly character) and to dance unreservedly before the Lord. Not only was it
incredible for a king to do that, we will not even think of doing that kind of
thing under normal circumstances. Yet in doing so, David showed that he was one
with his people, just like any of them, and he just wanted to praise the Lord
in all he did.In the end, David also showed himself as priest, prophet and king
when he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts and distributed the
communion sacrifices. David was a great king, but he was
also like a simple and humble brother to his people.
As Jesus said in gospel, anyone
who does the will of God is His brother and sister. Indeed, the will of God should be
the source and summit of our life, just like the Eucharist. May we always know
what God's will is and do it.
****
LITURGY: REAL KINSHIP WITH JESUS
Introduction
By transferring the Ark to Jerusalem, the new political
center, David made the city also the religious center of Israel. Always
interested in worship – is he not at the origin of the first collection of
psalms? – he sang and danced before the Ark. For liturgy is life and joy. It is
a confirmation and deepening of life related to God and a new source of
strength to do God’s will with love and joy.
Jesus assures us that what brings us close to God and makes
us his relatives is doing the will of the Father. This is all that matters,
more than ties of blood. This mission was the core and meaning of Jesus’ life
and death. Let us pray that his faithfulness may also be ours.
Opening Prayer
God Father of all, you know and you love us; whatever
happens to us, we are in your hands. Wherever you lead us, you know where you want us to go. We ask you for faith and
trust. Make your will our will, that you may lead us to your home under the
guidance of him, who did your will in everything, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Commentary
The day that David brought the ark of the covenant to its
new home in Jerusalem is a moment of unmatched joy. He realizes that the true
sovereign of this fledgling country is not himself but the Lord. David’s
intention to build a temple is thwarted by the Lord; that is to be the lot of
his son Solomon. As mysterious as God’s presence is, the ark still localizes
the presence of Yahweh, and Jerusalem is its fitting resting place.
The Gospel underscores a new relationship to Christ that
comes with discipleship. Adhering to him and his teaching, we become brothers,
sisters, and mothers. What was the entire purpose of our being educated in the
faith? Was it not to actualize God’s will in our lives? Think of those years of
instruction, the attendance at Catholic school or Confraternity of Christian
Doctrine (CCD), the countess homilies heard over many years. All of it pointed
to the daily task. The Christian life is not complicated, but neither is it
simplistic. The opportunities to go astray are always present, but with it
there is the master’s voice: “Will you remain faithful?”
Pastoral ministry presents the various facets of life. There
are people who have departed from the faith for years but then realize they
have squandered a rich heritage. They realize how far they have wandered and
want to return home. They do so, and life takes on a new meaning. Other people
have never wandered. There might have been mistakes along the way, but they
were never far from the beaten path. They have the joy of being the brothers,
sisters, and mothers of Jesus. In the words of the psalmist today: “Be lifted
up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in.”
Points to Ponder
The ark of the covenant
Living as members of Christ’s family
Remaining faithful
Intercessions
– That we may be close to Jesus by seeking with him and his
mother the will of the Father, we pray:
– That priests and religious may keep trusting in the Lord
who has called them notwithstanding their human weakness, and that with Christ,
they may care especially for the poor and the weak, we pray:
– That those discouraged and wounded by life may not grow
bitter, and that from our presence and friendship, they may draw fresh strength
and hope, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
God our Father, this bread and this wine are signs that with
Jesus, your Son, we are ready to seek your will. Allow us to share in his table
as his brothers and sisters and to follow him on his loyal way to you, our God
for ever.
Prayer after Communion
God our Father, you have given us a world to master and to
develop according to your wise plans and to join forces to build up the body of
Christ. May we do so by the strength of Jesus himself and make this Church and
this world a communion of faith and hope, of love and peace, as a sign and a
way to your joy that lasts for ever.
Blessing
Brothers and sisters of Jesus… How much are we united with
him and like him? We pray very often the Our Father and ask him that his will
be done on earth as in heaven. That’s what we pray for, so that’s what we are
committed to. May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy
Spirit.
***
Saint Emerentiana - Virgin, Martyr (-304)
As per Roman Martyrology, Saint Emerentiana was the foster
sister of Saint Agnes. Both of them were of much the same age, but Emerentiana
was yet only a catechumen. She was stoned to death while praying beside the
grave of Saint Agnes, thus receiving the baptism of blood. She was buried in
the Cemeterium majus, a little farther, along the Via Nomentana in Rome, then
the spot where the Basilica dedicated to Saint Agnes was erected. Later, her
remains were transferred to the Basilica.
Reflection: “If the greatest sinner on earth should repent
at the moment of death and draw his last breath in an act of love, neither the
many graces he had abused, nor the many sins he had committed would stand in
his way. Our Lord would receive him into his mercy” (Saint Thérèse of Lisieux).
