Thursday, 18 January 2024. Read 1 Samuel 18:6-9,19:1-7, Ps. 56:2-3,9-14, Mark 3:7-12
“Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him; he said: ‘They have ascribed to David ten thousand, and to me, they have ascribed a thousand; and what more can he have but the kingdom?’ And Saul eyed David from that day on.” (1 Samuel 18:8-9)
David’s motivation for fighting Goliath was to prove God’s superiority over weapons made by human hands. When Goliath threatened David, David responded: “This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand… that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s.”
Unfortunately, instead of the Israelites praising God, they praised the instrument, David. The women danced and sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, David, his tens of thousands.” This is a mistake we often make. Instead of giving God glory, we worship the instruments (priests, pastors, anointed men and women), forgetting that this is a sin against the first commandment. This brings us to our lessons for today:
1. Success Attracts Enemies: Success is sweet but comes with challenges. Before Goliath, Saul regarded David as some harmless musician. Saul loved David. However, the moment Saul heard the women singing, Saul hated David. We all have people like Saul in our lives; you become a threat to them the moment you start shining. If something good comes your way, they either block it or try to eliminate you. A girl once confessed how she lied against her best friend to discourage a suitor from marriage. When her best friend was crying, she cried even louder and insulted the male gender.
2. You Are Either a Friend or a Frenemy: Am I genuinely happy for my friends when good things come to them? Do I accuse them of pride or develop hatred against them because they have become richer, smarter or successful? At first, Saul pretended to be happy with David, but he called Jonathan (David’s best friend) and tried to poison his mind, urging him to kill David. Thank God Jonathan proved to be a true friend to David. He told David his father’s wicked plan, protected him and tried to reason with Saul. What kind of friend am I? Be a Jonathan, not a frenemy.
3. Do Not Bite the Hand That Fed You: Saul’s destruction began with his desire to eliminate David. Instead of seeing David as a blessing, one whom God had sent to help fight against the enemies of Israel, Saul wanted to eliminate David. If Saul had cooperated with David, he would have been a successful king. I often wonder how persons who never went to school (or dropped out) become successful CEOs running large companies and employing PhD holders (people ten times smarter than them). You are digging your grave if you cannot afford to let others shine. Great leaders know how to leverage the abilities of others; they are wise and humble enough to realise that life is not all about competition.
4. Avoid Inferiority Complex: Saul was a people pleaser. He hated David just because he felt David was attracting more likes and followers on “social media.” David’s posts were gaining more traction than his, and it gave him sleepless nights. Don’t judge your worth as a person on the number of likes, memes or views you get. Be like Jesus Christ. In our Gospel passage today, Jesus cured many of their diseases and cast out many demons, and when the evil spirits tried to sing his praises, Jesus shut them up. Live to praise God, not for self-praise.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, give me wisdom to accept my limitations and celebrate the talents of others. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Thursday of week 2 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 1 Samuel 18:6-9,19:1-7, Ps. 56:2-3,9-14, Mark 3:7-12).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu
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