JESUS CHRIST, MEDIATOR, HEALER
Introduction
David’s victory over Goliath and the praise that the people give him become for Saul the reason to become very jealous of David. Saul’s son Jonathan, a close friend of David, pleads for him and can temporarily refrain Saul from harming David.
In the Gospel, Mark gives a summary of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. Yesterday, we heard how the Pharisees are blind to him and attack him on legal points; the crowds flock to him because of his healing power, not so much to be converted. The demons know who Jesus is, but, of course, they do not believe in him. Here, we have different attitudes, but no faith yet. This is why, perhaps, Mark imposes silence on the spirits. We offer this Eucharist together with Christ, our only Savior and Mediator, who always intercedes for us.
1 Reading: 1 Samuel 18:6-9; 19:1-7
When David and Saul approached (on David’s return after slaying the Philistine), women came out from each of the cities of Israel to meet King Saul, singing and dancing, with tambourines, joyful songs, and sistrums. The women played and sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” Saul was very angry and resentful of the song, for he thought: “They give David ten thousands, but only thousands to me. All that remains for him is the kingship.” And from that day on, Saul was jealous of David. Saul discussed his intention of killing David with his son Jonathan and with all his servants. But Saul’s son Jonathan, who was very fond of David, told him: “My father Saul is trying to kill you. Therefore, please be on your guard tomorrow morning; get out of sight and remain in hiding. I, however, will go out and stand beside my father in the countryside where you are, and will speak to him about you. If I learn anything, I will let you know.” Jonathan then spoke well of David to his father Saul, saying to him: “Let not your majesty sin against his servant David, for he has committed no offense against you, but has helped you very much by his deeds. When he took his life in his hands and slew the Philistine, and the LORD brought about a great victory for all Israel through him, you were glad to see it. Why, then, should you become guilty of shedding innocent blood by killing David without cause?” Saul heeded Jonathan’s plea and swore, “As the LORD lives, he shall not be killed.” So Jonathan summoned David and repeated the whole conversation to him. Jonathan then brought David to Saul, and David served him as before.
Responsorial Psalm ps 56:2-3, 9-10a, 10b-11, 12-13
R. (5b) In God I trust; I shall not fear.
Have mercy on me, O God, for men trample upon me;
all the day they press their attack against me.
My adversaries trample upon me all the day;
yes, many fight against me. R.
My wanderings you have counted;
my tears are stored in your flask;
are they not recorded in your book?
Then do my enemies turn back,
when I call upon you. R.
Now I know that God is with me.
In God, in whose promise I glory,
in God I trust without fear;
what can flesh do against me? R.
I am bound, O God, by vows to you;
your thank offerings I will fulfill.
For you have rescued me from death,
my feet, too, from stumbling;
that I may walk before God in the light of the living. R.
Alleluia cf. 2 Timothy 1:10
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Our Saviour Jesus Christ has destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mark 3:7-12
Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea. Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighbourhood of Tyre and Sidon. He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him. He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, “You are the Son of God.” He warned them sternly not to make him known.
Commentary
As we continue our readings from the Book of Samuel, features of Saul’s unsavoury character come more and more to the fore. David’s reputation as a warrior has increased, with the result that the people are giving him more acclaim than Saul. This infuriates the king, who sees it as a threat to his position. David himself has done nothing to merit such a negative sentiment. He is a faithful servant in the king’s court.
The figure of Saul’s son, Jonathan, stands in sharp contrast to that of his father.
Knowing of his father’s intention to kill David, he allays his father’s fears, and David, at least for the moment, is free of worry.
Envy is a very destructive vice, tearing at the fabric of our own character and doing damage as well to the good name of others. We begin with the recognition that we all have gifts that complement those of others. Envy, instead of seeing the good in others, sets us on a collision course. It is repeatedly mentioned in the New Testament. It is the “green-eyed monster” of Shakespeare’s Othello.
Friendship, on the other hand, is a great gift of God. Our true friends may not be numerous, but each one is a treasure. A friend, said A. J. Cronin, is one in whose presence it is not necessary to say a word.
We ask the Lord today to help us eradicate any shade of envy from our lives. At the same time, we pray for our friends and are grateful for all they mean to us.
Blessing
Many have heard about Jesus and his message. Yet, some do not believe. The way we live should confirm our faith, even though faith is a free gift, a grace from God. May Almighty God increase your faith, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!