Theme: Be watchful for we may fall into the lures of this world.
Scripture readings: 2 Sam. 11:1-4a, 5-10a, 13-17; Ps. 51; Mark 4:26-34
We have been listening to good things of King David. He was meticulous in pleasing God all through his life. But today’s incidence was a black spot of his life yet God gives us a beautiful message from his life. David sinned again and again to cover up his sins. He became irresponsible – adulterer – liar – cheater and murder. We study the list of sins/mistakes of David.
1) We heard David remained in the house when all Israel was at the battle against Ammonites. He became negligent in his service. 2) David was on the roof top, saw Bathsheba taking bath; he had ample of time to move away from the scene but he entertained the thoughts of having her. 3) He found that she came from a reputed and dedicated family. Eliam, her father was valiant man (2 Sam 23:34). Ahithopel, her grandfather was one of the chief counsellors to David. (2 Sam 23:34). Uriah, her husband was also devoted mighty man in his army. David went against the devoted and dedicated family. 4) David slept with her. The sin of adultery was considered to be one of the worse sins. It went against the ten commandment of Moses. The punishment was death for the adulterer and adulteress (Lev. 20:10) 5) When he realised Bathsheba was pregnant, he called Uriah back to Jerusalem. He wanted to cover his sins. He pretended to know about the battle but reality was something else. 6) First attempt, David sent Uriah to his house so that he would sleep with Bathsheba. 7) Second attempt, he gave Uriah a present. 8) Third attempt, he tried to give him food and make him drunk. 9) When nothing worked out with Uriah, he decided to kill him in the battle. 10) He sent a letter of his murder plan with him. Do you know this sins called Coniugicide? CIC 1983 code says: Can. 1090 §1. Anyone who with a view to entering marriage with a certain person has brought about the death of that person’s spouse or of one’s own spouse invalidly attempts this marriage. §2. Those who have brought about the death of a spouse by mutual physical or moral cooperation also invalidly attempt a marriage together. The dispensation is reserved to Holy Father in the ordinary circumstances. Can we can understand the gravity of David’s sin? He deserved death by the law of Moses.
David’s sins remind us that we need to be alert and awake. David lost his focus and failed into the sin. David did so well but one small mistake brought disaster in his life. We do not know when would be fall in sin. St. Peter tells us, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
Jesus is also making us aware in the Gospel today with two parables. The kingdom of God is like the seed that grows in the day and night. It has stalk, then head and then full grain in the head. How it works? God works it without any human intervention. The harvest is a biblical symbolism of final judgement. In the second parable, Jesus uses the symbolism of smallness of the seed i.e. mustard seed. It becomes the greatest of the shrubs. The birds come and make their nests. We are chosen to be part of the Kingdom. God is at work in our lives. We need to co-operate with him.
One of the means of our cooperation is to become aware, vigilant and careful of our sinful behaviour. The theme of season of Advent with which we begin our liturgical year. We should learn from the life of David. The devil can lure us in a way that we do not have any idea. We cannot hide from God about our sinfulness. It is wise to surrender him and plead for mercy. We need to remember that God wants us to be part of His Kingdom.
Fr. Alex D’Mello
