Theme: God likes the heart of a good shepherd. What kind of heart do we have?
Scripture reading: 1 Sam16:1-13; Ps 89; Mk 2:23-28
We hear in the first reading God guides Samuel to anoint David as the new king of Israel. It is interesting to notice the comparison between Saul and David’s call to be king. The Scriptures mentions Saul was tall and handsome. He was from a wealthy and influential family. He was good in war-fares (Benjaminite). He appeared to be a king the way people wanted. In contrast to Saul, David was not even considered by his own father Jesse. Jesse called all his seven sons but did not even take the name of his youngest son, David. He was not called for a family sacrifice, nor for the fellowship with Samuel. It was Samuel who insisted to see him. It means to say that David was not considered as a family member by his family. David was found pasturing the sheep. It means to say, Jesse was not a wealthy man. They did not have a servant. The scripture says, David was ruddy (reddish complexion), beautiful eyes and handsome. He was a young boy. He did not look like a king but just a nice boy. David did not have military skills at all. He was a shepherd boy. What did God see in David, the youngest son of Jesse that He made him the king of Israel?
God did not look at the outer appearance of David. He saw his heart. We can gather insights into the personality of David from one phrase, “he was keeping the sheep”.
Keeping the sheep would mean, he was playing the role of servant. He had ample of time to reflect on the sheep. He knew them by name. The sheep knew his voice and they listened to him. He protected his sheep from the predators (wild animals or thieves). He took them to the green pasture and restful water. He went in search of them when they were lost. He rejoiced in finding them but he endangered his life. He became the way by walking ahead of the sheep. If they were hurt or lost, he put them on his shoulder and walked the way home. Lastly, he completely depended on God for his help in keeping the sheep from any harm for the sheep were totally dependent on him. In simple words, David, the shepherd protected, guided and nurtured his sheep. That was the heart of a shepherd. God was delighted to find such heart in David who did everything to please God.
We find in the Gospel, a good shepherd in the person of Jesus taking care of his disciples. They were hungry on the Sabbath day. Jesus defends them from the accusation of violation of Sabbath laws. The rabbis in the ancient days had added laws to the observance of Sabbath. It was a nuisance and burden for the simple people to follow these laws. They suppressed the ordinary men. Jesus literally fights for his apostles with the Pharisees just like the shepherd fights with predators. In today’s Gospel, Jesus calls himself the Son of Man. The title ‘Son of Man’ reveals to us in the Gospel of Mathew that Jesus, “Son of Man” came to serve, not to be served; and to give his life ransom for many.” (Mat. 20:28) Gospels gives us a complete picture of Jesus being the good shepherd (Jn. 10:11). At last as a good shepherd, Jesus laid down his life for us. Jesus had a shepherd’s heart. He was justly called, “Son of David”. Jesus, the good shepherd protects, guides and nurtures us. God was happy to see the heart of David and made him the king of Israel. God also happy to see the Sacred Heart of Jesus and made him the king of the Universe. What kind of heart do we have?
Fr. Alex D’Mello
