Not So Fast

Greetings on this the Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 1 Samuel 15:16-23; Psalm 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23; Mark 2:18-22

Summary

[Saul said] I did indeed obey the LORD and fulfill the mission on which the LORD sent me. But from the spoil the army took sheep and oxen, the best of what had been banned, to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal. But Samuel said: Obedience is better than sacrifice, to listen, better than the fat of rams (1 Sam 15:20-21, 22ac).

As Samuel turned to go, Saul seized a loose end of his garment, and it tore off. So Samuel said to him: “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day, and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you. Why do you recite my statutes, and profess my covenant with your mouth, Though you hate discipline and cast my words behind you?” (1 Sam 15:27-28; PS 50:16bc-17).

No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak. If he does, its fullness pulls away, the new from the old, and the tear gets worse. Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins are ruined. Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins.” (Mk 2:21-22).

Reflection

It is an uncomfortable truth: while sin is forgivable, consequences are often unavoidable.

In our Old Testament story of Saul and Samuel, Saul loses his leadership position for disobeying the Lord in regard to taking booty from the Amalekites – specifically forbidden to do. Saul isn’t the first nor will he be the last.

What appeared attractive to Saul under the guise of Advantage, Acquisition and Alliance was a false hope and destructive instinct.

In our gospel portion today, the Pharisees confuse presence with practice. Fasting is a good practice but in the presence of the Lord it is less than ceremonial, it becomes a contraindicator. Interesting.

Both Saul’s disobedience and the Pharisees’ rigidity reveal the same failure: an inability to rest in God’s timing: The Sabbath Rest

Oh, that today you would hear his voice: The word of God is living and effective, able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. Therefore, let us strive to enter into that rest, so that no one may fall after the same example of disobedience (PS 95:7b; Heb 4:12,11).

Personal Reflection

Our challenge in this day and age is one of knowing when we are acting out of a false piety or even under the cloak of piety.

• Victory v Booty.
• Fasting v Celebrating.
• Hardened hearts v Sabbath rest.

It is far better to follow the advice of the Letter to the Hebrews: Therefore, let us strive to enter into that rest.

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011926.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry