SERMON/HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 2ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE II 18TH JANUARY 2024

HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 2ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, CYCLE II

1Sam.18:6-9; 19:1-7; Ps.56; Mark 3:7-12

Guild against occasions for jealousy

It is part of human nature to desire affirmation. Affirmations sometimes act like incentives that motivate people to do more. But that is only when it is done appropriately. When affirmations are done indiscriminately, even when they are true, they could be distracting.

In the first reading, the people were overjoyed with what the Lord had done for them through the instrumentality of David. The greatly feared Goliath has been brought down by a mere boy. Truly, David deserves some accolades. It would have been wise enough for the women to sing the praises of David or the praises of God who has used David. Unfortunately, they sang David’s praises in comparison with Saul’s achievement. In praising David, they were implying that their King has not done so much for them. Therefore, David is greater than the king.

While not trying to justify Saul’s jealousy, we must admit that the women were not prudent enough. To rate David higher than the king gave the impression that their loyalty is more towards David than the King. Which king will not feel insecure under such circumstances!

The same scenario threatened to repeat itself in the gospel reading. News about Jesus’ healing spread abroad such that people were coming to him from different parts of the area. They did not just hear, they saw for themselves when they came to Jesus. Meanwhile, it is not clear what conception the people had about Jesus while they flocked round him for healing. Where they seeing him as a magician, a prophet or the Christ? However, one thing that was certain was that Jesus’ aim was not for his identity to be revealed at that time. So, even when the unclean spirits cried out that he was the Son of God, he ordered them to keep quiet.

It was not the case that Jesus was hiding his identity, rather, he was trying to respect time. There is time for everything. If his identity was revealed at that time, it would have been misunderstood. The people would have understood Jesus as a miracle worker and so would only come to him when they are in need of miracles. Such conception will surely be a distorted one. If our knowledge of Jesus is distorted, so will our relationship with him be too.

Beloved, do not work for the praises or admiration of men; it can be deceptive, it can be distracting. Whatever is done for the admiration of the public is business; and every business has as its goal, the maximization of profit.

Again, be careful how you interpret the accolades poured down on you. If you do something and you are praised, take it that you have done that thing well. Do not interpret it to mean that you are better than someone else. If the praises of men are tilting towards the direction of comparison, be quick to either correct them or ignore them. Jealousy is an evil thing but we must be careful not to create an occasion for it. When we do, we invariably share in the sin of the jealous person.