HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B (2)

HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

HOMILY THEME: WHAT TO DO IN MOMENTS OF DANGER

BY: Fr. Evaristus Abu

HOMILY:

“You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin; but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” 1 Samuel 17:45.

And so it happened that this young shepherd boy was anointed by Samuel and life just returned to normal again. Samuel went back home, the brothers of David went back to their businesses, and the boy David went back to the flock. Honestly, it all felt like nothing has changed.

I am not so sure if Samuel explained to David that by virtue of his anointing, he had already become the King of Israel. I am not also sure David himself was aware of the power already bestowed upon him otherwise, David would not have agreed to become the musician to King Saul.

You see, nothing happens out of coincidence. It was not by chance that Saul became mentally derailed. It was necessary to make room for David’s entrance to the Palace. It was not also by chance that the people were attacked by Goliath. It was God’s way of revealing David to the entire nation.

Whenever we face danger in life, we must never forget that God who allows such has a purpose. There is a reason for our present situation in this country, there is a reason for us to be passing through what Thomas Hobbes describes as the state of nature. Whatever that reason may be, we do not yet know but we must learn from David the correct attitude to adopt in the face of danger.

1. *Behind What Frightens You is a Precious Gift.*

People were scared of Goliath, even the whole armies of Israel felt downcast, discouraged and weak. David walked into the scene and guess what he asked: “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine, and takes away the reproach from Israel?” 1 Samuel 17:26. And in response, the people said: “the man who kills him, the king will enrich with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father’s house free in Israel.”

What are your fears? Do you realize that they are just a shield preventing you from your glory? Who knows, God has already destined you for greatness, yet you are the one too afraid to pull down that curtain of fear to go in. Face Your Fears.

2. *Never Forget What God Has Done in the Past.*

David’s courage was fuelled simply by a memory of how God granted him victory over the lions and wild animals who tried to attack his father’s flock. And David said, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” 1 Samuel 17:37.

My dear, the moment of danger is not a moment to panic, it is a moment to count your blessings. It is a moment to remember that God has not, will not and can never change. Has God ever done anything for you before? Has God ever answered your prayer? Why do you feel this current situation is greater than God? Is it the case that we easily forget God’s blessings so much so that we soon start doubting God again, so quickly?

How many of us Christians still believe that prayers can rescue this country from its present crisis? Honestly, there are Christians who get offended at the very suggestion of prayer. If we no longer believe in prayer, do we still believe in God? Are we still Christians? What is even the point serving a God we don’t obey, a God we don’t believe in, a God we don’t trust?

3. *Forget Conventional Wisdom and Follow God’s inspiration.*

David refused to wear Saul’s armour not just because he couldn’t move but because deep down within him, he knew that his protection does not depend on the helmet of bronze, the coat of mail and the sword. If David had believed in them, he would have asked for a period of training to get used to these things. But he didn’t. David approached Goliath with a staff in hand, five smooth stones in his bag and a sling (catapult).

Upon approaching Goliath, David again made us understand this his real weapon was not the stone and catapult, his real weapon was God. He said to Goliath, “I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down, and cut off your head.” 1 Samuel 17:45-46.

You see, the action of David can be likened to the action of the Christians in 1571 at the Battle of Lepanto. The Church was at the brink of total destruction from the full force of the Ottoman Empire. The Pope, Pius V simply ordered Christians to PRAY THE ROSARY. The rest is history!

Forget AK47, the arms and ammunition of the world. Without God’s involvement, AK47 is actually useless. It was not the stone that killed Goliath, it was the velocity with which God applied upon the stone that killed Goliath.

4. *Finally, Be Good Always.*

It is good to be good regardless of the day of the week. That is what Jesus teaches in our Gospel passage. There are days we just feel like hurting people, there are days we feel justified in being bad, there are “Sabbath” days in our lives; days we feel as though our goodness has become too much. Jesus is saying to us today that even on that day you feel “enough is enough”, you can still be good!

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, make me like
David today. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. (Wednesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time: Bible Study: 1Samuel 17:32-51 and Mark 3:1-6).