A Look at the Life of David

 Reflection on Today's Readings, Friday of 4th Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, February 4th, 2022
Texts: Sirach 47:2-11; Psalm 18:31, 47,50, 51; Mark 6: 14-29
Three persons gave structure to the life of the Jews. The Three persons are Abraham, Moses and David. Abraham gave the foundation of their faith, Moses gave the Law and David gave shape to their liturgy and became their ideal king. Today's first reading is a reflection on the life of David. We see in the life of David that the man after the heart of God is not a sinless man but a  man who loves God and is of humble and contrite heart. David was a man who would allow his enemy to live for love of God, a man who clung to God both in time of peace and in time of trouble. Unlike our first parents, he did not hide from God because of his sin but repented, begged for mercy and forgiveness; he was always ready to make reparation for his sin. In today's first reading, it is said, "As the fat is selected from the peace offering, so David was selected from the sons of Israel." David's love makes him pleasing to God.
We are not ready to love God untill we are ready to let go ourselves for His sake, untill we are ready to take insult for His sake. It is from this perspective we could see John the Baptist as man who loved God. He was able to take charge of the Lord and speak the truth because he loved God. In today's gospel reading it is recorded that his head was beheaded because he told the truth. John the Baptist told the truth because he was ready to let go his life if it was demanded. What normally  limits our love for God is the reluctance in letting go ourselves for His sake. It is always a difficult task for each and every one of us. The gift of fortitude is required for us to do it. David had the gift of fortitude. This is clear in the words: "He played with lions as with young goats, and with bears as with lambs of the flock. In his youth did he not kill a giant, and take away reproach from the people, when he lifted his hand with a stone in the sling and struck down the boasting of Goliath? For he appealed to the Lord, the Most High, and he gave him strength in his right hand to slay a man mighty in war, to exalt the power of his people. So they glorified him for his ten thousands, and praised him for the blessings of the Lord, when the glorious diadem was bestowed upon him." We need to turn to God to ask for the gift of fortitude.

Lord our God, grant us the gift of fortitude, that we may love you as we ought to. Amen

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke