30 January 2018

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Tuesday, 30 January 2018 : 4th Week of Ordinary Time (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we continue the discourse of the Scripture readings from yesterday, regarding the civil war between king David of Israel on one side, and on the other side, Absalom, David’s son who was supported by many of the nobles and the people of Israel. David had to flee from the capital city of Jerusalem, bringing many of his loyalists with him. Eventually, as much as David did not want to face off with his son in the battlefield, circumstances forced him to do so.

David had to face Absalom in battle, and when Absalom was losing and fleeing the battle, as we heard in our first reading today, his hair was caught among the tree branches, and the commander of David’s guards, Joab, when he heard about what happened to Absalom and how no one dared to harm him, took his own initiative and killed Absalom who was trapped and helpless.

As we heard from what happened next, David was devastated by the news of his son’s death. This actually resembled what David also had done, when he heard the news of his predecessor’s death at Mount Gilboa, when king Saul committed suicide to avoid being captured by the Philistines. David was truly sorrowful and filled with anguish, when he heard about the horrible news.

This showed that despite all the bitterness that often arose because of civil wars, disagreements and conflicts, David still loved his son, Absalom, and also revere his king, Saul when Saul was still alive. This is showing the quality of a person of David’s calibre, and a very good reason why he was likely chosen by God to be His king to rule over Israel. He was upright, just, loving and compassionate, even to his enemies and all those who have wronged him.

Joab, the commander of the guard certainly did not agree with king David. Right after the events portrayed in the first reading today, he admonished the king for having turned what should have been a celebration for the victory against the rebel forces into a lamentation and sorrowful wailing for the deceased Absalom. But Joab was thinking in the manner of the world, and he was not aware of the love which David had for his son, despite all that the son had done towards him.

In the same way, if we look at the Gospel passage today, Our Lord Jesus had mercy on all of us mankind, those whom He loved despite all those who have sinned against Him, as He showed us when He healed the woman who had bleeding problems for many years, as well as the time when He raised up the daughter of the synagogue official from the dead, calling on her to return to life.

Through this, all of us should be aware that each and every one of us are precious to the Lord, no matter what we have done to antagonise and to make Him angry. Just like Absalom who is still beloved by his father, David, all of us are also still loved. But many of us do not realise this fact, and we continue going down the path of our rebellion and disobedience, ultimately to our downfall.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us all be like the woman who had bleeding issue, that even though we may be afraid or unsure, but we should be courageous enough to seek out the Lord and by wanting to be healed. Let us allow the Lord to touch our lives, that by His actions and works in our lives, we will be transformed thoroughly, from what was once creatures of sin and darkness, into a new people living in the light.

May God be with us always, and may He bless us all with His grace. May He empower us all to live ever more faithfully day after day, doing our very best to walk in His ways and by drawing ever closer to Him, Our loving God and Father. Amen.

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Tuesday, 30 January 2018 : 4th Week of Ordinary Time (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Mark 5 : 21-43

At that time, Jesus then crossed to the other side of the lake; and while He was still on the shore, a large crowd gathered around Him. Jairus, an official of the synagogue, came up and, seeing Jesus, threw himself at His feet; and begged Him earnestly, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, so that she may get well and live.”

Jesus went with him, and many people followed, pressing around Him. Among the crowd was a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a lot at the hands of many doctors and had spent everything she had, but instead of getting better, she was worse. Because she had heard about Jesus, this woman came up behind Him and touched His cloak, thinking, “If I just touch His clothing, I shall get well.”

Her flow of blood dried up at once, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her complaint. But Jesus was conscious that healing power had gone out from Him, so He turned around in the crowd, and asked, “Who touched My clothes?” His disciples answered, “You see how the people are crowding around You. Why do You ask who touched You?”

But He kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, aware of what had happened, came forward, trembling and afraid. She knelt before Him, and told Him the whole truth. Then Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be free of this illness.”

While Jesus was still speaking, some people arrived from the official’s house to inform him, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Master any further?” But Jesus ignored what they said, and told the official, “Do not fear, just believe.” And He allowed no one to follow Him except Peter, James and John, the brother of James.

When they arrived at the house, Jesus saw a great commotion, with people weeping and wailing loudly. Jesus entered, and said to them, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead, but asleep.” They laughed at Him. So Jesus sent them outside, and went with the child’s father and mother and His companions into the room, where the child lay.

Taking her by the hand, He said to her, “Talitha kumi!” which means, “Little girl, get up!” The girl got up at once and began to walk around. (She was twelve years old.) The parents were amazed, greatly amazed. Jesus strictly ordered them not to let anyone know about it; and He told them to give her something to eat.

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Tuesday, 30 January 2018 : 4th Week of Ordinary Time (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Green

Psalm 85 : 1-2, 3-4, 5-6

Listen, o YHVH, and answer me, for I am afflicted and needy. Preserve my life, for I am God-fearing; save Your servant who trusts in You.

Have mercy on me, o YHVH, for I cry to You all day. Bring joy to the soul of Your servant; for You, o YHVH, I lift up my soul.

You are good and forgiving, o YHVH, caring for those who call on You. Listen, o YHVH, to my prayer, hear the voice of my pleading.

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Tuesday, 30 January 2018 : 4th Week of Ordinary Time (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green

2 Samuel 18 : 9-10, 14b, 24-25a, 30 – 2 Samuel 19 : 3

Absalom was riding a mule and happened to meet the guards of David. As the mule passed under the thick branches of a big oak tree, his head was caught in the oak tree and he was left hanging between heaven and earth, while the mule has was riding went its way. Someone reported to Joab, “I saw Absalom hanging from an oak tree.”

So Joab took three spears in his hand and thrust them into Absalom’s heart while he was still alive in the oak tree. David was sitting between the two gates. The watchman posted at the roof of the gate, on the wall, saw a man running alone. So he called out and reported to the king who said, “Move away and stand here.” He moved aside and stayed there.

The Cushite arrived and said, “Good news for my lord the king! YHVH has done you justice today and saved you from all those who rebelled against you.” The king asked the Cushite, “How is the young Absalom?” The Cushite answered, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rebel against you end up like that young man.”

The king was greatly disturbed and, going up to the room over the gate, he wept and said, “O, my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! Would that I had died instead of you, o Absalom, my son, my son!”

It was reported to Joab, “The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.” So the victory that day turned into mourning for all the people, when they heard that the king was grieving over his son.