Communicating the Gravity of Sin.

Saturday 1^st February 2020. Read 2 Samuel 12:1-7, 10-17, Psalm 51 and Mark 4:35-41.

_“As the LORD lives, the man who has done this deserves to die; and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.” Nathan said to David, “You are the man.” *(2 Samuel 12:5-7)*_ 

As we noted yesterday, David thought he was smart; that he could hide his sin, that no one will know what he did to his trusted friend and loyal soldier, Uriah. David assumed that people will think it was a mere coincidence that Uriah died in battle just at the same time that David impregnated his wife Bathsheba. As Jesus reminded us a few days ago: “For there is nothing hid, except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret, except to come to light.” (Mark 4:22).

Being a king, David was a light that could not be kept under a bushel or under a bed. There was no way his evil deed would go unnoticed. We must be careful of our choices daily and avoid giving room to our sinful inclinations. As a Christian, you are a role model, what you do or refuse to do cannot be hidden. Sin is not fun, sin does not pay. Sin always destroys. (Cf. Romans 6:23).

David would have simply gone about his daily activities as though nothing happened without even realizing the full implication of what he had just done. At times, we simply gloss over our sinful deeds. We just find a way of telling ourselves: “It is no big deal.” Or “After all, I am not the worst sinner in the world.” We assume we are just too and that others are the problem. As Jesus would ask: “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3-4).

Nathan narrated a story to David which got him very lipid with anger. David exclaimed: “The man who has done this deserves to die and he shall restore what he took fourfold because he had no pity.” It was then that Nathan told him: “David, you are the man.” It was as though someone poured cold water on him. It was only at this point that David saw the log in his own eye. He realized his “secret” was no secret at all, that he deserved to die and that he had no pity.

Each time you become enraged at the offences of others, each time you point fingers or pass judgement at people, each time you feel moved to partake in jungle justice, also ask yourself “Am I not also guilty?” Maybe you have not yet been caught, maybe your “secret” deeds are not yet known, maybe God is just giving you time to undo your wrongs. When last did you do a total examination of conscience?

In today’s Gospel passage, the disciples of Jesus are surprised that Jesus could afford to sleep in a boat while they were so shaken with fear for their lives. They still didn’t know who Jesus was. They assumed he was just a mere mortal like one of them. Like these disciples, can I really say “I know Jesus”? And if I know Jesus, why then do I fear for the storms of life?

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, make me realize the gravity of my sinfulness and deepen my trust in you. Amen.

*Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. (Saturday of the 3rd week of Lent. Bible Study: 2 Samuel 12:1-7, 10-17, Psalm 51 and Mark 4:35-41).*

_Happy New Month. May this February bring us peace, joy and progress in our spiritual lives. Amen_

Lessons from the Fall of David.

Friday 29^th January 2020. Read 2 Samuel 11,1-4,5-10, 13-17, Psalm 50, & Mark 4:26-34.

_“It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking upon the roof of the king's house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful.” *(2 Samuel 11:2)*_

In our Gospel passage this morning, Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a seed which a man scatters on the ground. While he goes to sleep, he does not how the seeds grow but he notices a gradual development, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain and finally the harvest. The spiritual life is pretty much the same. The little seeds are actions which grow into habits; they can either destroy us or lift us up.

In our first reading, we encounter an idle king taking a walk along the roof of his palace. From idleness to lust, from lust to adultery, from adultery to murder. Sin progresses! Almost all the sins we commit can be traceable to our quest for entertainment or our attempt to deal with boredom.

Why didn’t David go to battle? Rest is important. If we do not rest, we cannot work. God himself rested but what we do while resting is important. Even while we seek out entertainment, we must be careful not to give room to the devil to poison our minds.

Pornography is such a serious problem in our world today. David climbed the roof of his house to see a naked woman. Today, you don’t have to go that far. From indecent dressing to television adverts, smartphones to magazines, nakedness is everywhere. They say “if the bird learns to fly without perching, the hunter must learn to shoot while on a flight.” Since we live in a sex-saturated world, we must learn to constantly exercise self-discipline recognizing the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and that sex is meant only for married couples.

David tried to hide his evil deed. He thought it was secret. He thought he was smart. All his attempts to lure Uriah to go into his wife (so as to take responsibility for her pregnancy) failed. Uriah was a faithful and loyal soldier. Not even drunkenness could make him relax knowing that his colleagues were at the battleground. For his faithfulness, he received an indirect death sentence from David. Uriah carried the very letter that would end his life. Like a sheep, he was led to slaughter without complaining. But God saw everything!

After this incidence, David was never to get hold of the kingdom. This was just the beginning of the end for him. Such a painful and shameful end of something that had a glorious beginning. Dear friends, flee from sexual sin! Run away from another man’s wife. Avoid pornography. Keep your thoughts clean always. Know that there is nothing that can ever be hidden in this life.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, may I continue to reflect your light and not be carried away by evil. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. (Friday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 2 Samuel 11,1-4,5-10, 13-17, Psalm 50, & Mark 4:26-34.).

Always Cherish Your Integrity.

Thursday 30^th January 2020. Read 2nd Samuel 7:4-17, Psalm 89 and Mark 4:1-20.

“Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and said, "Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that thou hast brought me thus far? And yet this was a small thing in thy eyes, O Lord GOD.” (2 Samuel 7:18-19) 

One fact that really struck me in today’s first reading was that David, the King of Israel listened to the words of the prophet Nathan (taking them as the words of God) and obeyed. David wanted to build a befitting Temple for God. He had all the resources to do so. Nathan delivered to him a message from God saying: “You are not the one to build me a house.” David did not protest, he did not go out stubbornly to begin the construction work. He simply went down on his knees and prayed to God.

This is the main distinguishing factor between David and Saul. While Saul dammed the instruction of God that came through the prophet Samuel in the battle against the Amalekites, David obeyed. When God demands obedience, it always feels like God is asking for too much; it takes great courage to obey an instruction that is different from my personal wishes and desires. Obedience to God is indeed the litmus test for devotion to God.

Let us reflect: “If I was in David’s shoe, would I obey Nathan or would I begin to assume that God did not spoke to him?” This question could generate other questions such as: How much value do I place on instructions I receive from God’s ministers? Do I respect those who represent God for me? Do I respect the Church’s stand on abortion, invitro-fertilization, euthanasia and so on? Do I sometimes listen to or read the homily and hiss within me saying: “This priest is just talking nonsense.”

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus says: “Is a lamp put under a bushel or under a bed? For there is nothing hid, except to be made manifest, nothing secret except to come to light.” Take this statement of Jesus as your personal motto and your life would change forever. Keep telling yourself all the time that there is nothing like secret in this world and you suddenly become a wise person.

Most times, we fall into great temptations to sin because of the promise and assurance of secrecy only for us to realize later that our secret affairs have become public knowledge. We then relapse into guilt saying: “If only I had known!” Now you know. There is nothing hidden that would not one day come into the light. Take care of your future by making the right choices today!

When we plan to do evil, we usually begin by asking how best to cover our tracks but God who sees everything always has a way of bringing us out. Say: “I am a light, I cannot be hidden. I am a light, I am meant to shine. I am a light, I cherish integrity.”

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, create in me a pure heart; let my life reflect your light. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. (Thursday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 2nd Samuel 7:18-29, Psalm 132 and Mark 4:21-25).

Repentance is working on Your Soil.

Wednesday 29^th January 2020. Read 2nd Samuel 7:4-17, Psalm 89 and Mark 4:1-20.

_“But those that were sown upon the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” *(Mark 4:20)*_ 

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus tells the parable of the Sower. Now, there is only one farmer and the seed sown is the same but there are different harvests because of the different soils which represent the nature of our hearts.

Some persons have sandy hearts. They receive the word of God daily but it bears no fruit in their lives. No sooner had they heard the message; they forget it as though it entered one ear and came out of the next.

Some people have rocky hearts; they receive seed with joy but have no roots. They are always excited in church, so emotional but their faith evaporates as fast as their emotions change. They cannot withstand trial.

Some people have thorny hearts; they really love God and they want to serve God but it happens that they also want to be like everybody else. They want those things the world considers valuable, delight of riches, fancy clothes, nice car, bumper bank account, etc. Their love for the world chokes up God’s word in them.

Then comes the category of people with a rich heart who can yield fruits with their life. These are people whose manner of life even in secret bears no contradiction with who they say they are.

Dear friends, true repentance is taking out the thorns and breaking away the rocks. I believe this is what Christianity is about. It is consistently working on yourself, bringing in the right soil, applying the water of devotion and prayer, till you become a saint.

David expressed his desire to build God a house and this pleased God so much that he showered him with so much blessings. David was not a perfect man but his heart represents the rich soil. David wanted a permanent structure for God’s house. What structures can you put in place in your life to sustain your repentance?

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, create in me a pure heart; a rich soil that I may bear fruits for your kingdom. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. (Wednesday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 2nd Samuel 7:4-17, Psalm 89 and Mark 4:1-20).

Never be Ashamed of God.

Tuesday 28^th January 2020. Read 2nd Samuel 6:12-19, Psalm 23 and Mark 3:31-35.

_“And David danced before the LORD with all his might, and David was girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the horn.” *(2 Samuel 6:14-15)*_

Today, David displayed his love and adoration for God by dancing openly before the Ark of God. All that David had on him was just a linen ephod. David’s dance was never to entertain anyone but to praise God. David did not even care that people were watching him. At that moment, David forgot that he was King of Israel, he danced like a child because he knew that before God, he was nothing.

To give us some background story, this was truly a glorious occasion for David and indeed the whole of Israel. Recall how the Ark of God was captured by the Philistines in battleground? How the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phineas carried the Ark of God to battle without reverence or respect only for Israel to meet with such a great defeat losing thirty thousand men in one single day?

When the Ark of God became a source of torment the Philistines, they thought it wise to return it. Upon receiving the Ark, David danced for joy and led the whole assembly in offering sacrifices to God. David blessed the people and distributed a roll of bread, a portion of dates and a raisin cake each to the multitude of Israelites, men and women. (This scene prefigures what Jesus did in John 6 when he fed the whole multitude with just five loaves and two fish).

Dear friends, one lesson we must take home today is David’s shamelessness in offering public worship to God.

In Matthew 10:32-33, Jesus says: “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.”

Many of us who claim to be Christians are too ashamed of God. Come to think of it: apart the fact that I go to Church is there anything that identifies me as a Christian? Jesus told us today: “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and my mother.” (Mark 3:35). Do I shamelessly live like a member of Jesus’ family? Do I do the will of God even when it makes me the object of laughter among my peers?

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, may I wholly worship you. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. (Tuesday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 2nd Samuel 6:12-19, Psalm 23 and Mark 3:31-35).

Lessons From David’s Rise to the Throne.

Sunday 26^th January 2020. Read 2nd Samuel 5:1-10, Psalm 89 and Mark 3:22-30)_

_“So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel.” *(2 Samuel 5:3)*_

Finally, David becomes King of Israel. David’s rise to the throne is a story of determination, hard work and righteousness. Yes, as a little boy, David was anointed by Samuel but it wasn’t until he was thirty that he became substantive King of Isreal. David did not go to sleep hoping that with the anointing he received, everything would just magically fall into place.

Anointing without sweat only amounts to failure. As the saying goes: “Pray as if everything depends on God but Work as if everything depends on you.” God blesses the labour of our hands, He does not provide food straight from the sky. Like a horse led to the river, God does not force us to drink. There is nothing wrong with spending long hours in prayer but something is wrong if we do nothing afterwards.

Another lesson we get from David’s ascension to the throne is PATIENCE. Honestly, this is one virtue that is lacking in today’s Christians. We live a world of fast food, fast internet, fast transport and fast everything. We want everything to happen immediately. We believe that if things are not happening according to our own set pace, then our enemies are responsible, that God is asleep or that our prayers are not working.

God works in mysterious ways. Sometimes God grants our prayers immediately, sometimes, God takes us through a process to teach us some lessons while working out the answers to our prayers. Whatever be the case, we must continue to trust God and walk as children of the light. Keep doing what is right, who knows, your current situation might just be a test.

Before you begin to feel that your enemies are in control of your life, why not take out time to count your blessings and acknowledge what God is doing? Why do we fear demons more than we fear God? In today’s Gospel passage, the scribes falsely accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul. These scribes, despite being religious leaders believed more in the power of demons than in the power of God. What a shame!

It can be very painful when you are doing something good only hear people speaking calumny against you for your good deed. Jesus experienced this pain. He asked them a question: “Can Satan cast out Satan?” If satan begins to fight himself, then he is finished. Satan may be strong but the truth is that God is stronger. Stop ascribing everything to the power of Satan, remember that God is still in charge of your life.

Finally, as one great Saint said: “if you have nothing good to say about someone, then please keep quiet.” Why do we derive pleasure in running others down while presenting ourselves as perfect, complete, holy and wonderful? Bear in mind that people carry stories about others out of sheer jealousy. Do not be a rumour-monger.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, I trust in you, I know that you are the Almighty Power, free me from the fear of the devil. Amen.

*Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. (Monday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 2nd Samuel 5:1-10, Psalm 89 and Mark 3:22-30).*

Fr. Abu.

There is Power in the Word of God.

_(Sunday 26^th January 2020. Isaiah 8:23-9:3, Psalm 27, 1st Corinthians 1:10-17 & Matthew 4:12-23)_

_“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.” *(Isaiah 9:2)*_ 

Last Sunday, the topic of our reflection was “Be a Light; Point others to Jesus.” John the Baptist was a light to the nation of Israel by preparing their hearts for Jesus. In today’s first reading, Isaiah prophesied of a great light coming upon the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali. This prophecy is fulfilled in our Gospel passage with Jesus bringing light upon the them by teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Gospel of God’s kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.

As we celebrate today the Sunday of the Word of God, we shall be examining the centrality and power of the Word of God in our lives as Christians. Why is God’s word important? Must I read the Bible? Is the Bible still relevant in today? How can I use the Bible to solve my immediate challenges? These are some of the questions we shall try to answer as we examine the lessons contained in today’s readings.

*1. Ignorance of God’s Word is Darkness.*

According to St. Ignatius: “Ignorance of Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.” When the Prophet Isaiah spoke of Zebulun and Naphtali being in great darkness, he meant they were yet to encounter Jesus, the Word that was with God in the beginning. (Cf. John 1:1). No doubt, the word of God brings light into any form of darkness that we may be encountering in life. Are you confused about a certain decision to take? Read God’s word. Are you troubled about life’s predicaments? Read God’s word. Do you wish to know what would happen in the future? Just read the word of God. Indeed, an encounter with the God’s word is an encounter with Jesus our light. No wonder today’s responsorial psalm sings: “The Lord is my light and my salvation.”

*2. God’s Word is More Important than the Preacher.*

In today’s second reading, St. Paul is obviously disappointed with the Christians in Corinth because of divisions, dissensions and quarrelling among them. While some were claiming to be followers of Paul, others were taking sides with Cephas (Peter) and some others, Apollos. This quarrelling among the believers was a sign of a great failure on their part to make God’s word a priority in their lives.

Many Christians today do not take their time to read the Bible for themselves, they only hear God’s word from the lips of preachers. As a result, they are more loyal to preachers than to God. Do not forget that satan quoted from the Bible while trying to tempt Jesus. Find out what is in the Bible yourself lest you become a victim. Be loyal to God’s word; not to any preacher.

*3. God’s Word Demands Immediate Response.*

It is never enough that we read the Bible, we must also act on it. Failure to do what the word of God demands puts us in a far worse condition than those who never had the privilege of hearing the word. Hence, Jesus would say: “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock…(but)… everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand; and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell; and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:24-27).

In our Gospel passage, we see how Peter and Andrew as well as the sons of Zebedee, James and John immediately left their nets and everything they were doing upon hearing the words: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Every time we encounter God’s word, we cannot afford to remain where we are; something must change in us, there must be a movement from our former ways to a new life; movement from the darkness of sin to walking as children of light.

The disciples followed Jesus leaving behind their means of livelihood, they trusted in Divine Providence. At times, God’s word makes great demands on us. It seems like God is asking the impossible from us. We must learn from these disciples to just trust God and obey. The Psalmist sings: “Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105). Imagine what your life would be if God’s word is a lamp for your feet; imagine consulting God’s word before any decision you take in life.

*4. God’s Word Brings Us Healing; Spiritually and Physically.*

What happens when we create time for God’s words, when we listen attentively and make bold steps to apply God’s words in our lives? Miracles follow. All through the Gospels, we notice this pattern: when a crowd gathers around Jesus, He begins with preaching and after he had spent a great deal of time preaching to them, He begins to work miracles, healing them of their sicknesses, freeing them from their burdens and casting out demons from those oppressed by the devil.

Whatever we seek from God will come to us so long as we make His Word a priority in our lives. The secret to your healing, your deliverance, your breakthrough in life is to allow God’s word into your heart daily. Read God’s word, use the word of God to pray. Speak God’s words over any situation you may be facing in life and watch how great things would begin to happen.

*Conclusion*

Do you have a Bible? Do you really know how powerful it is? When last did you devote some hours of your day to reading and meditating on God’s word? Could it be that you really do not have the time for God’s word? The truth is that you always have time for anything you consider to be important to you. The word of God is more important than riches, fame, comfort, or anything you can think of. The word of God is life. Last Sunday, we noted that if you ever try to preach to someone only to discover you are lost for words, it means your heart is full of too much junk or you do not even know Jesus. The secret to overcoming this predicament is simple: *Read God’s Word Every day.*

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, increase my love and appreciation for your word. Let no day pass without me spending time in prayerful reading of your word. Amen.

Happy Sunday. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A. Bible Study: Isaiah 8:23-9:3, Psalm 27, 1st Corinthians 1:10-17 & Matthew 4:12-23.).

Out of the Wicked Comes Wickedness.

Friday 24^th January 2020. Read 1 Samuel 24:2-20, Psalm 57 and Mark 3:13-19.

 

_“And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. He said to David, ‘You are more righteous than I; for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil… in that, you did not kill me when the LORD put me into your hands. For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safe? So may the LORD reward you with good for what you have done to me this day.” *(1 Samuel 24:16-19)*_ 

Saul came out in search of David with three thousand men. Three thousand trained soldiers against just one small man. If God is on our side, who can be against us? I say Nobody. Who can battle with the Lord? Nobody. As the Psalmist sings: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” (Psalm 23:4-5).

Unknown to Saul the very cave where he went to answer the call of nature was the same cave where David and his men were hiding. This is what I call DIVINE PROTECTION. Without any weapons, God simply put Saul into the hands of the innocent David. In truth, God’s protection is stronger, better and more sophisticated than the best protection the world can ever offer.

David had the opportunity to kill Saul but he exercised such a great deal of self-restraint. According to David, “Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness.” Meaning if he had killed Saul, he is no better off than Saul. This is the point Jesus makes when he said: “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:38-40) 

Dear friends, the greatest test of a righteous person is what he or she does when given an opportunity to retaliate a wrong done. Mother Theresa would tell us: “Be nice to people, not because they deserve it but because of who you are.”

When Saul realized how David spared his life, he declared: “I know that you shall surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand.” With this powerfully prophetic statement, David had unofficially become king of Israel. Sparing the life of Saul was actually a test which David passed. The big question now is: What would I have done if I was in David’s shoe?

Discipleship begins with mentorship. In today’s Gospel passage, we read how Jesus appointed the twelve, “to be with him and to be sent out to preach and have authority to cast out demons.” The part we often skip is “TO BE WITH HIM.” Whatever takes your time is exactly what you become. If we fail to spend time with Jesus, we also fail to be good Christians. When last did I spend over an hour praying alone? When last did I spend time reading the Bible and listening to Jesus speak to my heart?

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, give me the wisdom to rise above my urge for revenge and make me ever conscious of your powerful protection. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. (Friday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time: Bible Study: 1 Samuel 24:2-20, Psalm 57 and Mark 3:13-19).

The Danger of Inferiority Complex.

Thursday 23rd January 2020. 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 thing. 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 is why for instance, God made plants to release oxygen which we inhale and 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).

What to do in Moments of Danger.

Wednesday 22^nd January 2020. Read 1 Samuel 17:32-51, Psalm 144 and Mark 3:1-6.

_“You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin; but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” *(1 Samuel 17:45)*_ 

And so, it happened that Samuel anointed this young shepherd boy, David but instead of a coronation ceremony (as was the case with Saul), life just returned to normal. Samuel went back home, the brothers of David went back to their businesses, and the boy David went back to guarding the flock. Honestly, it all felt like nothing happened.

It was not by chance that Saul became sick, it was also not by chance that David knew how to play the harp and was appointed musician to Saul. It was not also by chance that Goliath, the giant challenged the army of Israel. God knows how best to write straight on very crooked lines. There is always a reason for everything that happens to us. Today, we learn from David how best to respond to danger.

*1. Behind What Frightens You is a Precious Gift.*

People were scared of Goliath, the whole armies of Israel felt weak. David walked into the scene and asked: “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine, and takes away the reproach from Israel?” (1 Samuel 17:26). And in response, the people said: “the man who kills him, the king will enrich with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel.” Learn to face your fears. All the good things you seek are at the other side of your fear.

*2. Never Forget What God Has Done in the Past.*

The best time to sing God’s praises is when you face danger. David’s courage was fuelled by a memory of how God granted him victory over the lions and wild animals who tried to attack his father’s flock. “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:37).

*3. Let God do the fighting for you, Trust Not in Physical weapons.*

David refused to wear Saul’s armour, he couldn’t move. All he needed were a staff in hand, five smooth stones in his bag and a sling (catapult) but his real weapon was THE NAME OF THE LORD. David said to Goliath, “I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down, and cut off your head.” (1 Samuel 17:45-46). Mind you, it was not the stone that killed Goliath, it was the velocity with which God applied upon the stone.

Jesus entered the synagogue and behold there was a man with a withered hand. Already, as we read yesterday, the Pharisees accused Jesus of not keeping the sabbath law because he plucked heads of grain to eat. Now, they were watching him to see what he would do the man with a withered hand. Jesus used the occasion to teach us that God did not make laws simply to punish us.

Indeed, there is only one law; the law of love (the law of doing good, saving life). Jesus asked a question that the Pharisees could not answer: “Is it okay to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath?” In the end, Jesus freed the man from his pain and misery much to the anger of the cold-hearted Pharisees. Honestly, to be angry at another person’s progress (healing, success, promotion etc.) is one clear definition of witchcraft.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, give me the courage of David, teach me to remember your goodness in the past and break my cold heart of stone that I may learn to feel the pain of those who suffer around me. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. (Wednesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time: Bible Study: 1 Samuel 17:32-51, Psalm 144 and Mark 3:1-6).