YEAR II: HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 2ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (2)

YEAR II: HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 2ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

HOMILY THEME: The Danger of Inferiority Complex

BY: Fr. Evaristus Abu

HOMILY: (Read 1 Samuel 18:6-9;19:1-7, Psalm 56 and Mark 3:7-12)
“Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him; he said: ‘They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands; and what more can he have but the kingdom?’ And Saul eyed David from that day on” (1 Samuel 18:8-9).

By the power of God, David was victorious over Goliath. This brought great joy all through the kingdom of Israel. However, there was one man who did not take this victory in good faith, one man suddenly started looking for a way to kill David. The reaction of Saul to David’s victory seems strange but sadly, this is still the case amongst many of us today.

Yesterday, we noted that the inability to find inner joy and peace when others are progressing is witchcraft. Do I sometimes “pull people down” by talking ill of them (or wishing evil of them) when they are doing well just because I am jealous of their elevated status in life?

Saul was still king of Israel, David was just a shepherd boy and a musician, but here was a king suffering from massive inferiority complex. Saul could not stand the fact that he was no longer the centre of attention in Israel. If only Saul had held David close, I can only imagine how great his kingship would have been? Sometimes, we make the costly mistake of fighting the people that God has sent to help us in life just because we are too proud to see the big picture.

Great leaders are not always the most talented, the most gifted or the most hardworking; they are people who accept their personal limitations and learn to harness the gifts and abilities of others. Great leaders know how to leverage on the abilities of others; they are wise and humble enough to realize that life is not all about competition. Some of the people you think are your enemies right now, some people you wish were dead may just be Davids that God brought your way.

They say: “do not judge a fish by its inability to climb a tree.” Stop trying to climb a tree and accept that you are a fish. Stop looking down on yourself because you are not as good as this brother or this sister in this or that. Accept your limitations, kill your jealousy and in humility, learn to ask for help. Yes, learn to ask for help even from those you think are nothing to you.
Life is team work. That was why for instance, God made plants to release oxygen which we inhale and plants take in the carbon dioxide which we exhale. We need the plants to survive and they need us too to stay alive. You shoot yourself in the leg when instead of treating people well, you allow your pride push them away. Eventually, Saul’s reign would end not because of the power of the Philistines, but because of Saul’s endless fight with the boy David. Have you been fighting the wrong fight? Maybe you should begin to fight the real enemy that is within you; your pride!

Coming down to our Gospel passage, we see Jesus continuing his work of healing. Great crowds pressed upon Him and He cured many of their diseases and cast out many demons and when the evil spirits tried to sing His praises, Jesus shut them up. Jesus knew He was God, but was humble to the end. Not even the evil spirits could tempt Him with pride.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, give me wisdom to accept my faults while I celebrate the talents of others. Save me from pride. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. (Thursday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time: Bible Study: 1 Samuel 18:6-9;19:1-7, Psalm 56 and Mark 3:7-12).