Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
(I Samuel
4:1-11; Mark 1:40-45)
St.
Christopher was a legendary figure who was said to have carried the Christ
child across a river. He became known as
the patron of travelers. Medals were
made of him which Catholics fixed to one of their car’s sun visors. Priests, however, preached not to depend on
the medal to protect them if they drove recklessly. The Israelis should have been told something
similar about bringing the Ark of the Covenant into battle.
In today’s
first reading the Israelis are confident that they are invincible with the
Ark. This miscalculation cost them a
terrible defeat. They would have been
better off sharpening their swords and kneeling before the Lord in prayer like
the leper in the gospel. Such actions do
not assure victory, but they open their doers to God’s will. They also attract God’s mercy.
We must
take care not to be presumptuous. We
rightfully call upon the Lord for help.
But we should remember that prayer does not substitute for preparation. There is a synergy between our efforts and
the Lord’s help. Results depend as much
upon God’s input as upon our work.
