The Absalom Phenomenon

Homily for January 30, 2018.


“The king said to the Cushite, ‘Is it well with the young man Absalom?’ And the Cushite answered, ‘May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise up against you for evil, be like that young man.’” 2 Samuel 18:32.

Our first reading today contains the tragic end of David’s Son, Absalom. The story of Absalom is very well documented in the Bible not so that we may imitate him but that we may learn from him what becomes of those who allow their greed for power and over-ambitiousness go unchecked.

Absalom’s problem began with pride. Upon returning from a self-imposed exile as a result of killing his brother Amnon (for committing incest with his sister Tamar), Absalom started feeling like the most righteous person in the world. He got a widow to make peace with David and obtain forgiveness by force.

Using what I would describe as highly Machiavellian moves, Absalom started winning the hearts of the people towards himself. For four good years, Absalom acted like the Minister of Justice to those who had suits. He would tell them how David could not hear their cases and how he wished David could be replaced with someone like him.

When Absalom felt he had gathered enough supporters, he decided to declare himself a king thereby waging war against David. Absalom’s greatest mistake was to assume that all those who were singing his praises and fanning his ego were actually on his side. He took the advice of Ahitophel and publicly went in to his Father’s concubines. Unknown to him, Hushai was a good friend of David but pretended to be Absalom’s adviser. Husahi gave the advice that brought Absalom down!

Well, well, well, the summary of this story is that power and authority come from God. No matter how good we judge ourselves to be for leadership, without God’s hand of approval and support, our craze for power; our “dirty politics” lands us into the same situation as that of Absalom. No one ever became a successful leader by usurping power! If the throne is not meant for you, the crown will never size your head.

Our Gospel passage today contains the healing account of Jarius’ daughter and the woman who had suffered from a haemorrhage for twelve years. In all of the drama that ensured, the lesson we need to take home is ALL POWER BELONGS TO GOD. Who has the final say? No one but God alone.

There were already mourners in Jarius’ house, they had concluded that the little girl was dead and they even went as far as telling Jarius not to bother Jesus again. They did not know that Jesus himself is God who created heaven and earth and is in charge of all life on earth. The raising of the little girl to life teaches us that God alone is all powerful. And so, in our quest for power, we should never push God aside.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, free me from self-pride and over ambition. Amen

*Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. (Tuesday of the 4th week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 2 Samuel 18:9-19:3 and Mark 5:21-43).*


Fr. Abu.  

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