HOMILY: TUESDAY 2ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME [YEAR B]

HOMILY: TUESDAY 2ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME [YEAR B]

THEME: LESSONS.

BY: FR. KARABARI PAUL

‘…for the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’

The store of history is never done with great lessons. And one of such is that nobody is so important that God cannot drop or too insignificant that He can not use. We don’t get too familiar with His gifts that we turn gods, or too far away that we feel unqualified. The First Reading of today (1Sam. 16:1-13) provides us the string with which we can draw our lessons.

Saul was chosen by God as the first King of Israel, and as an answer to the request of the people who longed to be like other nations around them. This was an honour for the person of Saul. However, Saul disobeyed his Maker, and He was rejected. Sometimes, we feel that God’s instructions make no sense, only to realise much later that our peace and happiness depend on such illogical divine plans. Perhaps such knowledge comes when it is already late.

Men and women who are given seats at seemingly the height of power ought to develop the minds of slaves so that little fear can guide their actions lest they behave like gods. For the people who behave as gods when they are in human forms might be leading themselves to slaughter-bench. Saul absolutely felt he was in charge of his actions. He created his own sense and interpretation of God’s instructions.

Samuel, the mediator between God and the people wept over Saul’s rejection. Again, no man’s mistake should be our source of joy. It doesn’t matter if it is the downfall of our foes or friends. The weakness of humanity should cause the grief of humanity. It is only when we see ourselves in the mistakes and pains of others that we can learn and be truly human.

The rejection of Saul gave room for the acceptance of the young David as King of Israel. David couldn’t have passed any interviews if he was to face, alongside his brothers, a panel of judges headed by Samuel and his own father. But the glorious thing about his rise is that he was God’s choice. And God’s choice is final. Nobody changes it. Whatever God does, He defends it. Jesse presented all his sons but never David. Samuel felt Eliab was the candidate but was rejected. Do you still believe that man has power over what and who you are to become in life? Before the thought of David came, every other son had been screened and rejected. The man of God had also made his own judgement, which wasn’t God’s.

Firstly, let our hearts stay close to God. When we do this, God can also give us exactly what is meant for us heedless of what people plan and do. We don’t have to envy anyone and be filled with bitterness. What is not meant for us is not meant for us. And peace of mind and a happy life come with the acceptance of this reality. Man’s judgment is not always final. It doesn’t matter if he is a man of God. The adage, “The voice of the people is the voice of God” is not always right except the people in this case align themselves with God’s will.

The unlikely candidature of David as the new King of Israel after Saul is a lesson that nobody can block what God has planned for you. You may be far away from home like David, He will locate you. Have trust in God and never in Princeses. At the right time, He changes things. At the right time, He repositions things. GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE. May God have mercy on us, bless and protect us all through Christ Our Lord Amen. Good morning

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