SERMON/HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 2ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II 19th January 2024

HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 2ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II

1Sam.24:2-20; Ps.57; Mark 3:13-19

Respect the anointed

The drama between Saul and David continued in the first reading of today. It was obvious to David that Saul sought to kill him not for any wrong he had done but out of jealousy. The natural human tendency is to seek revenge against those who do us evil. When it is not possible to fight back immediately, we often times wait for an opportunity to revenge. But in the first reading of today, David acted like a man who is truly anointed by God.

Notice that Saul had not yet changed his mind as regards hurting David. Infact, Saul was in the cave in search of David to kill him. Yet, in this trying time for David, he could still think and talk about forgiveness. David refused to harm Saul for two principal reasons. First, David is aware that he is the Lord’s anointed. He knows that no one is able to hurt him without the Lord’s permission. He knows that he had so far escaped the evil schemes of Saul not because he was smart but because God had been protecting him. David was confident in Divine protection. Beloved, sometimes, over agitation over perceived enemies could mean a lack of trust in the saving power of God. A firm faith in God is able to keep us calm even in the most turbulent times because our God will always save us.

Second, David will not touch Saul because he respected the Divine character in Saul. Whatever God has touched continues to bear the mark of God, no matter how disfigured it becomes due to sin. Though God had rejected Saul, David respected the fact that Saul was anointed by God. This is a sign that David had a good self-esteem. He knows the worth of God’s anointing in him, and so, he also knew how to respect this anointing wherever it is present. Beloved, let us learn from David how not to be enveloped by anger when men act against us. Be confident on the fact that if God be for us, no one can be against us. Therefore make it your aim to have God on your side.