Today is the memorial of Saint John Bosco, fondly called Don Bosco in Italy, the patron of the young people, and the patron saint of my home parish. Don Bosco was an evangelist for the young people. He had the grace and courage to see people with human eyes and with the eyes of God.
Today, in all the readings, we are called to see things in the eyes of God. Man looks at the appearance, but God looks at the heart.
A few weeks ago, we read about the anointing of David as a king by Samuel in the presence of his siblings. God told Samuel:
“I have found David, my servant; with my holy oil I have anointed him, That my hand may be always with him, and that my arm may make him strong.”
David loved God with his whole heart. Notwithstanding his love for God, however, he still had to face his own tribulations and temptations like you and I. His life was not devoid of family rancor, envy, jealousy, and even fratricide. David kept his eyes on the Lord in all of this, asking for forgiveness.
Our first reading contains one of David’s tribulations. In case you do not know the background of today’s story, I encourage you to read 2 Samuel chapter 14-15. A short synopsis would suffice here. King David had many wives and sons. David’s third eldest son Absalom killed David’s eldest son Amnon because the latter had raped his sister. Upon killing Amnon, his half-brother, Absalom spent three years in exile. After about five years had passed since the death of Amnon, David granted Absalom a pardon. Absalom, however, was resentful of his father; he later moved to the southern capital of Hebron, where he stirred up considerable opposition to David. He declared himself king at Hebron, then marched to Jerusalem to depose his father (2 Samuel 15:7-12). This is where our reading starts.
Upon receiving the report of Absalom’s plans, David fled Jerusalem with his servants, saying:
“Up! Let us take flight, or none of us will escape from Absalom. Leave quickly, lest he hurry and overtake us, then visit disaster upon us and put the city to the sword.” (2 Samuel 15:14)
At the Mount of Olives, he wept over his son Absalom’s evil plans, the pound of flesh. David’s rapid retreat prevented Jerusalem and its inhabitants from being put to the sword by Absalom. David and his servants covered their heads and “wept without ceasing, and he was walking barefoot.”
As David walked around barefoot, weeping, and lamenting about his predicament, he met a man named Shimei of the tribe of Benjamin who rained insult upon insult on David. Shimei said to David:
“Away, away, you murderous and wicked man! The Lord has requited you for all the bloodshed in the family of Saul, in whose stead you became king, and the Lord has given over the kingdom to your son Absalom.”
David’s servants asked for permission from the king to “lop off” Shimei’s head, but David refused to grant such a request. David asked, what if the Lord’s hand was behind the tribulation? He also reasoned that the Lord might even have mercy on him because of Shimei’s insults. In the midst of all these, David remained faithful, trusting in the Lord’s mercy. Absalom’s evil plan did not see the light of the day. (read the first reading for tomorrow’s Mass to know how it ended.) The Jewish historian Josephus commenting on this story, mentioned that David final destination was “to the parts beyond Jordan” though he went to the Mount of Olives first.
Today’s Gospel has Jesus meeting a man who has been possessed by demons who lived in a cemetery. The demons have tormented the man for years. The demons recognized Jesus. They asked Jesus not to torment them. Jesus asked the man his name. He replied, “Legion is my name. There are many of us.” How many were the demons? The answer could be found if you look carefully at the number of swine in the herd. Mark, the Gospel writer, says :
“…. the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine. The herd of about two thousand rushed down a steep bank into the sea, where they were drowned.”
As the Lord rescued king David from the evil plans of his son Absalom, so he rescued the unnamed man from the clutches of the demons. The Psalmist in Psalm 71:1 prayed our prayer:
“In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your justice rescue me, and deliver me; incline your ear to me, and save me.”
The photo by Fr. Peter Eke: here is a worker harvesting olives at Mount of Olives.
Mount of Olives where Jesus and his disciples went after the Last Supper, where he prayed, wept and was later arrested. (Matthew 26:30.) Jesus also ascended to heaven from the Mount of Olives according to Acts 1:9–12.
Mount of Olives / Garden of Gethsemane-Photo by Fr. Peter Eke
Our God answers prayers. He knows our woes, tribulations, needs and can turn them into blessings. Jesus came to set those held captive free, from sin and death. (Luke 4:18)
I will conclude with this inspiring quote from Saint Francis de Sales: “Do not fear what may happen tomorrow. The same loving Father who cares for you today will care for you tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginings.”
