Memorial of Saint
John Bosco, priest
(II Samuel 11:1-4a.5-10a.13-17; Mark 4:26-34)
Although it sounds incredible, modern scholars debate the
existence of King David. Of course, his
person is well attested in the Bible, but extra-biblical historical evidence
that he lived and ruled is questionable.
The best extra-biblical record of his existence is an inscription found on
a piece of rock discovered a number of years ago in a northern city of ancient
Israel. The inscription, which can be
dated to one hundred and fifty years after the traditional dates of David’s
reign, mentions his dynasty, the “House of David.” Perhaps a better case for David’s existence
can be made from the very realistic experience of his life given in the first
reading today.
Although an accomplished warrior, David does not
accompany his army in the expedition against the Ammonites. Whether or not he has grown lethargic in his
elderly years, he should have been grateful to God for the victory of his
troops. Quite humanly, however, David
turns his back on the Lord by sinning grievously – twice. First, he commits adultery with the wife of
one of the soldiers who was fighting his war.
Then, when he learns that the woman is pregnant, he has the soldier killed
to avoid causing scandal.
David follows the way of all flesh. He allows his passions to control his
judgment and does not flinch at committing atrocity to conceal his
lustfulness. When his sins are finally
uncovered, he does show remorse, but that hardly makes up for the terrible
injustice and the horrendous example. His
debt and that of all our sins will be paid by his descendent, Jesus of
Nazareth. He is the only, truly innocent
human being – one who does not flinch a moment to battle evil, even to the
extent of making the ultimate sacrifice so that sin no longer will compel the
rest of us.
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