Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 2 Samuel 24:2, 9-17; Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7; Mark 6:1-6
Summary
Consequences can be severe. Failing to acknowledge and atone for actions – ever more so!
He was amazed at their lack of faith (Mk 6:6).
When David saw the angel who was striking the people, he said to the LORD: “It is I who have sinned; it is I, the shepherd, who have done wrong. But these sheep, what have they done? Strike me and my father’s family! So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty silver shekels. Then David built an altar to the LORD there, and sacrificed burnt offerings and communion offerings. The LORD granted relief to the land, and the plague was withdrawn from Israel.(2 Sam 24:17, 24b-25).
Reflection
Thankfully we have the psalmist to reassure us! Turn to the Lord and be saved!
Blessed is he whose fault is taken away,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt,
in whose spirit there is no guile.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
my guilt I covered not.
I said, “I confess my faults to the LORD,”
and you took away the guilt of my sin.
For this shall every faithful man pray to you
in time of stress.
Though deep waters overflow,
they shall not reach him.
You are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me;
with glad cries of freedom you will ring me round.
- Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7
Personal Reflection
In our first reading David’s sin caused great distress for everyone. In our gospel portion, the same is true only in a more subtle way. So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them (Mk 6:5). Lack of faith drives us to do exaggerated things wrongly or miss on the gentleness of the divine love.
Better I listen to the psalmist. Repent, move on in faith.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020426.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Amén 🙏
😄