Since the beginning of the year (2018) we have been journeying though the books of Samuel and Mark. We are preparing for the holy season of Lent which starts Feb 14th. We have to take today’s reading in context and draw together the Churches message today.
Today David learned of the death of Saul ( the first King of Israel) and Saul’s son Jonathan. Even though he was the dully appointed king, Saul had been trying to kill David because he found David to be a political threat to his, Saul’s, sovereignty. David had been anointed as a boy to be leader by Samuel as God’s chosen one and Saul was aware of this. Jonathan on the other hand was about David’s age and a good friend and fellow soldier.
Still, David grieved for both of them when they died in battle. They both died to defend their country and in all circumstances were martyrs for the country. He grieved for his friend and grieved for Saul who was trying to kill him. 2 Samuel 1:23 “Saul and Jonathan, beloved and dear, separated neither in life nor death, swifter than eagles, stronger than lions!”
Why. Saul? Myself, I would have said, God’s justice! Not David, he was looking at (Exodus 20) the Fourth Commandment to honor your father and mother, which also included the people in authority. David respected Saul as king. David also knew he would be king some day. It was part of God’s plan to respect the king in authority and David respected the position. Long before Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:44) “But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.” David understood these words even before Christ said them. David had a mind for God and had these words in his heart.
We do a similar thing when a new leader is chosen for a Cursillo weekend. We respect the leader’s position. These weekends are a team effort and one of the members of the team is the Holy Spirit. We start each talk with the prayer: Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of your and enkindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and we shall created and you shall renew the face of the earth. That is the key. The Holy Spirit is present.
Truly the Holy Spirit surrounded David. David’s heart was thinking with the Spirit’s help with the mind of Christ.
David had a passion for God and looking at today’s Gospel, God had a passion for him. This passage gives us a glimpse of the mind of God.
Mark 3:21-22 He came home. Again [the] crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”
Some of his relatives and disciples were upset and thought Jesus was not taking care of himself because of his tireless efforts at ministry. In their mind he was a simple hometown carpenter,but Jesus like God has a passion for His people. Think of that. God has a passion for you.
You are not worthless or unimportant. You might be good or bad in your mind or in the mind of others.
Nonetheless, God has a passion for you. This not insanity, this is His love for you. The path is two-way.
Which way are you going? We know which way God is going.
God Bless
Bob Burford
Readings: 2 Samuel 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27; Psalm 80:2-3, 5-7; Mark 3: 20-21
