Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr
Readings: 1 Samuel 17:32-33, 37, 40-51; Psalm 144:1b, 2, 9-10; Mark 3:1-6
Summary
David continued: “The same LORD who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” [Jesus] said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up here before us. He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored.” The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death. (1 Sam 17:37a; Mk 3:3, 5bc, 6).
In our sacred readings today we have the trifecta of the Lord’s loving care for us!
- David testifies that the Lord protecting him from lion and bear while being a shepherd in the fields (nature).
- David (v Goliath) slew the mighty warrior with a stone and sling (powerful adversaries).
- The Man with a withered man was restored by Jesus on the Sabbath – as a sabbath act (Sabbath healing)!
It makes my soul sing psalm 98:2 !! (Personally I think this is the better psalm for today – but that is an opinion 🙂
The LORD has made his victory known; has revealed his triumph in the sight of the nations (PS 98:2)
Or, liturgically sung: The Lord has made known his saving power!
And for today our Responsorial:
R/ Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
My refuge and my fortress, my stronghold, my deliverer, My shield, in whom I trust (Ps 144:11, 2abc).
Reflection
In every way the Lord saves – from nature, from adversaries and from loss of Sabbath love. In David, God saves through courage; in Jesus, God saves through presence.
The one sour note should be addressed carefully.
The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death. (Mk 3:6).
Specifically, their negative actions should not be a source of modern day anti-Semitism (these are a small elite group of people in the gospel portion today). God forbid! It is more a reflection on how we all respond so instinctively when our power is challenged. There are two types of instinctive responses, made types by role, not by individual. These reactions are not about individuals but about roles—how power behaves when it feels threatened.
- Pharisees (not most of them) – cultural power – the ability to dominate people using religious and cultural norms.
- Herodians (not all of them) – civil power – the ability to dominate people using government.
Personal Reflection
We really need to as Christians to shift our attention away from civil and cultural power to proximity and nurturing power. Jesus does not dominate the man with the withered hand; he restores him by drawing him closer.
- Help those endangered by nature.
- Help those endangered by powerful adversaries.
- Help those endangered with the lack of Sabbath love.
Let’s stop feeding the domination dynamo. Within ourselves. Within our culture. Within our religions.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012126.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry