Theme: In moments of glory and sorrow, keep your eyes fix on God. For it is better God approve than the world applaud.
Scripture reading: 1 Sam 18:6-9, 19:1-7; Ps 55:2-3, 9-14; Mk. 3:7-12
We find in the first reading the drama after the killing of Goliath, the Philistine. David finds favors in the sight of Saul. Saul kept him with himself. He did not allow him to go to his house. He appointed David over his servants. David was well accepted by the people of Israel. The servants of Saul also respected him. Jonathan, the son of Saul also became a friend of David. He liked him so much that he gave his cloak, armors and made covenant of friendship with him. David got grand welcome by the women of all towns. They praised him over Saul. We can imagine what would be the state of a young boy who becomes a sensation overnight. Is it easy to handle popularity, fame, pomp, respect? No. it is not easy. The popularity hits our head. We lose the sense of humanness. Justine Bieber, a young singer says, “achieving fame as a young nearly destroys you”. There are many examples of young destroying their lives after getting famous. There are some stars who face difficulties to sustain their life on the silver screen as young famous artists such as Amanda Bynes, Corey Feldman, Edward Furlong, Macualey Culkin, etc. Most of them got depressed for rejection of people. David also was rejected by Saul. He was jealous. He wanted to kill him. What did help David to hand his popularity/fame/rejection/humiliation? His love for God. His heart was set on God. He loved God very much. He never fought with Goliath for his own glory but the glory of God.
Jesus in the Gospel is found with the multitude. People from all four directions came to see Jesus. The cities mentioned are far off cities of all four sides; Sidon and Tyre (far north west), Idumea (South), beyond Jordan (East), Judea and Jerusalem were in the center. All of them came to Jesus in Galilee which was situated in the north. Jesus was healing many people so the people wanted to touch him. The unclean spirit who came out, spoke openly that Jesus was the son of God. The whole situation became so difficult that Jesus would have been crushed by the stampede. Jesus gets into the small boat for the better ministering. Jesus was super popular then David and any other person at his time. We also find Jesus was rejected by His own people. At every moment of his life, he received rejection. He died on the cross because he was rejected. What did help Jesus to handle his popularity and fame/ rejection and humiliation? His love for His Father. His heart was also set on God. He loved His Father. Nothing affected him. Not even the rejection from the pharisees and scribes.
King David and Lord Jesus knew their mission. They knew that God was important when you are in glory or sorrow. We need to learn from David and Lord Jesus to keep focus on God when we are praised /exalted or rejected/humiliated. May God help us to remain focussed on Him when we experience glory and shame. For it is better God approve then world applaud.
Fr. Alex D’Mello
