Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
(I Samuel
16:1-13; Mark 2:23-28)
Jesus
himself testifies to David’s importance.
In today’s gospel he justifies his disciples’ eating on the sabbath by
reference to him. As David ate bread
dedicated to the Lord, so Jesus’ disciples should be able to pick grain for
nourishment on the sabbath.
It is not
necessary that David have a robust appearance (although he has). To be king, David must have a heart inclined
to do the Lord’s will. God, who knows the hearts of people, sees this. He relates this information to Samuel who
anoints David as king. Although David
loves God, he will commit egregious sins.
But he repents of his crimes. He
knows that God’s justice is always tempered by His mercy.
Rather than
worry about our appearance, we should cultivate a loving heart for God. We do this most of all by trusting in God’s
love for us. We also will learn to love
God by observing the Third Commandment. Justifying
work on the sabbath by saying that it was “for man” betrays Jesus’
intention. Letting go of our ambitions
on Sunday to praise God and to look forward to full union with Him helps us in
different ways. We stop thinking of
ourselves and think of others more. We become
aware of the beauty of prayer, of people, and of nature. Most of all, we develop of a spirit of gratitude
for all we have.
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