Theme: We, the disciples of Christ are called to make a radical choice of Him.
Scripture readings: 2 Sam. 7:18-19, 24-29; Ps. 131:1-5,11-14; Mark 4:21-25
Today’s first reading from the second book of Samuel is a continuation. Prophet Nathan told David that he was not the one who would build a house for God. His offspring would build the house of God. It was obvious that David felt dejected by God’s plan. We would also do the same in our normal circumstances. However, David did not take any drastic step to go away from God. (we usually put away the person who does not agree with us.) But David chose to go and sit before God. He made a deep reflection on his relationship with God. He made a beautiful prayer. He became humble before God. He called himself more than eight times servant. David showed great faith in the promises of God. He praised God for His blessings and pleaded God to fulfill them. There was no negativity, no pessimism in David. His prayer reveals to us his self-deposition before God. David opted to listen to the word of God. David made radical choice to follow God’s will in his life.
In the Gospel, Jesus after explanation of the parable of sower; took his disciples in private and challenged them to make radical choice of the kingdom of God. In the parable of the sower, the field was the kingdom of God, the seeds were the word of God, the sower was Jesus and the soils were listener’s hearts. Jesus told two proverbs to the disciples after the explanation. These proverbs challenged them to make radical choice; whether to be in the kingdom of God or out. Jesus also challenged them twice by asking them to listen to him by saying those who have ears, let them hear.
The metaphor in the proverb is used lamp. Who was the lamp? It was the kingdom of God or the truth of God, the Word of God or Jesus himself. It was no more a secret because Jesus had revealed it to them. Lamp cannot be put under the bushel basket or bed so the truth of God. It has to be shared with others. There was a radical choice that the disciple had to make in his life to accept it or be gone. Once he accepted the kingdom of God or Jesus or the truth in his life, there is no other way. The disciple would get back in the measure in which he had given himself to the kingdom. If he did not give anything, even what he had, would be taken away.
The disciple was challenged in the midst of people who refused Jesus in their lives. The scribes who had said, he was son of Beelzebub; Jesus’ cousins said, he was out of mind. The disciples were challenged. Whereas, David and Mary, the mother of Jesus did exactly the will of God. They made a radical choice to be part of the kingdom of God. What is our choice?
Fr. Alex D’Mello
