HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B (1)

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

HOMILY THEME: TOUCH NOT MY ANOINTED

BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon

HOMILY:

(1 Sam. 24:3-21)
In the day’s first reading David had an opportunity to kill Saul who was hunting him. Realizing Saul as an anointed king, he settled on just cutting a piece of Saul’s cloak unnoticed. When David revealed himself to Saul later, he showed Saul the piece of cloth and told Saul of his goodwill. Saul recognized David’s intentions and finally accepted him as the new king of Israel. It was a storybook ending. No one was murdered. No one was physically hurt.

Nevertheless, we have good lessons emerging from the story of David and Saul, both anointed and recognized great kings of Israel.

On the part of David, we recognize his openness and obedience to God’s will. Though his life was threatened in spite of the good he had done for the kingdom, he did not allow his feelings and reason to dominate him. He recognized Saul’s person and status as a chosen of God. That alone made him decide to set aside everything and submit to the will of God.

On the part of Saul, we have a similar situation. He was very jealous. His kingship was being threatened. He was tempted to eliminate David. But circumstances like the pleading of his son Jonathan and this incident with David enlightened him. He was humble enough to eat his pride and choose the higher ground of submission to God’s will.

Emotions are part of being human. But they should not enslave us. At times, they will bring us to drastic and misleading discussions. We must be discerning. The Holy Spirit is always there to guide and inspire. We must seek its presence and guidance always. In the end, like David and Saul, we must be humble enough to submit to God’s will no matter how hard and against our reason. After all, it is God’s will which must prevail.