3RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Here we are, your bone and your flesh. 

David had all the characteristics of the hero in a blockbuster Hollywood movie. He had a moving origin story. He was exceedingly handsome and charismatic. He inspired people to follow him, even on impossibly dangerous missions. He was a mighty warrior, a prayerful poet, and a constant friend. Of course, all the tribes would come together, proclaim themselves his “bone” and his “flesh,” and unite under him as their king (2 Samuel 5:1)!

But for all his heroic characteristics, David didn’t fully live up to everyone’s image of an ideal leader. Scripture doesn’t hide the times when he fell prey to lust or when his pride and selfishness plunged the nation into chaos.

Part of the problem, of course, was David’s own sin and weakness. But part of the problem was also the people’s expectations. Rather than trusting in the Lord, the Israelites relied too much on David, who was only human. They expected their new king to do for them what only God could do.

This philosophy is still alive today. But the truth is that no human leader can take the place of God. No human leader can bring deep and abiding peace to our hearts, let alone an end to war and strife. No human leader can release us from the guilt and shame caused by sin. And no human leader can bring an end to the age-old prejudices that keep people apart. Only God can do that.

That’s why the Church sets aside certain days specifically for turning to the Lord in prayer. For example, the Church in the United States observes today as a “Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children.”

Prayer is exactly the right place to start. It’s in prayer that we can beg the Lord for justice for the unborn. It’s in prayer that we can ask the Spirit to change people’s hearts. It’s also in prayer that God can give us the patience and kindness to treat those who disagree with us with love.

Jesus is the only true answer to the sin and darkness in the world—because he is the only true answer to the sin and darkness in the human heart. So let’s turn to him and pray:

“Lord, increase your love in us, and bring people everywhere to respect your gift of human life!”

2 Samuel 5:1-7, 10
Psalm 89:20-22, 25-26
Mark 3:22-30