The Choice Of Their Song

Only a person who knows who you  are can subdue you.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Thursday of 2nd Week in Ordinary Time II, January 18th, 2024
Texts: 1 Samuel 18:6-9; 19:1-7; Psalm 56; Mark 3:7-12 

Reflecting on today’s first reading I cannot but ask the question, were the women innocent in the choice of their song? Did they not know that it was a mockery of king Saul? 

Was it not an attempt to subdue him? Was it not an attempt to embarrass him? If they had praised David alone without comparison with king Saul, would he have been envious? 

The song makes their intention questionable. Yes, whatever their trick might be, they endangered their hero, David. It is a lesson that we should be mindful of our choice of words.  

They aroused the demon in him

King Saul picked their choice of words, saying, "They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands; and what more can he have but the kingdom?" They aroused the demon in him. 

We read, “And Saul eyed David from that day on. And Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David.” 

St. James says, “So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!” (James 3:5). The women’s tongue of praise set Saul on raging mission. 

Only a person who knows who you  are can subdue you

We notice that Jesus ordered the demons from making Him known in the gospel. The claim of the demons to know Jesus was an attempt to subdue Him. Only a person who knows who you  are can subdue you. 

The demon’s claim to know Jesus was not an attempt to surrender to Him; it was rather a trap for Jesus to make Him fall. It was a kind of praise to trip Him off. Jesus Christ showed His superiority by silencing the demons. 

We are to avoid abusive praise. Let us be sincere in our praise. Praise should come from a place of good will,  not ill will. 

Prayer 

We thank You, Lord, for crowning us with honour and glory, help us not to fall into the trap of evil one. Amen  

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke