Tuesday, January 18, 2022

 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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