Turn to the Lord

by Food For Thought on February 4, 2014 ·

In the first reading, Absalom, the son of King David who led a rebellion against his father, is slain in battle. David mourns greatly the loss of his son even though he had been his enemy. David’s attitude is commendable. We should not hate our enemies. On the contrary, Jesus tells us to love them. And when they are confounded, we should hope that they will repent of their evil deeds. God always hopes for the repentance of the wicked man so that he may be converted and live.

In the gospel, we see how faith can do wonders. Whatever suffering or tragedy we encounter in life we should not despair and feel hopeless. We must trust in the Lord who can turn things around for us if he wants to. He can cure our sicknesses, be they physical or spiritual. But we must believe in his power to do so. Yet even if things do not totally get better, we should continue seeking God’s message for us in our difficulties. Only then do we become true followers of Jesus trusting in him both in times of successes and failures.

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All Issues > Volume 30, Issue 2

<< Tuesday, February 4, 2014 >>

2 Samuel 18:9-10, 14, 24-25, 30—19:3
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Psalm 86:1-6

Mark 5:21-43
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AGED TO PERFECTION?

"Keep my life, for I am devoted to You; save Your servant who trusts in You." —Psalm 86:2

David was probably in his forties when he committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged for her husband to be murdered. You could call this a mid-life crisis of sin. Several years later when David was in his fifties or sixties, his son Absalom tried to take over the kingdom and kill his father. When Absalom was killed in battle, David lamented: "My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!" (2 Sm 19:1)

This is the same son with whom David wouldn't talk for five years (see 2 Sm 13:38 and 14:28). Yet, David truly forgave and kept forgiving Absalom. He loved him unconditionally. David grew from a lustful, murderous middle-age to a loving, forgiving, holy old age. David still needed much more purification and growth in holiness, but he allowed the Lord to change him significantly.

Jesus "progressed steadily in wisdom and age and grace before God and men" (Lk 2:52). How about you? We're all growing in age, but what about in wisdom and grace? Have you repented and forgiven? Have you left behind the sins of the past? Are you growing to "the full maturity of Christ" (Eph 4:15)? Grow; don't just grow old.

Prayer: Father, may my entire attention be on Jesus, as "I give no thought to what lies behind but push on to what is ahead" (Phil 3:13).

Promise: "Taking her hand, He said to her, 'Talitha, koum,' which means, 'Little girl, get up.' The girl, a child of twelve, stood up immediately and began to walk around." —Mk 5:41-42

Praise: Norm, a teenager, invited his father and grandfather to accompany him on a men's retreat. Together, they received Jesus in Word and Eucharist.