Theme: Seek always God’s counsel in all that you do.
Scripture readings: 2 Sam. 7:4-17; Ps. 88:4-5,27-30; Mark 4:1-20
In the first reading today, David proposed to build a temple for the lord. He thought that he was living in the palace but the Ark of the Covenant did not have house. The enemies of Israel were subdued. The Israelites experienced peace after long time. David personally grateful to God for raising him to the throne of Israel from nothingness. It was obvious thought to build the house of Ark. He had a novel thought. Nathan, the prophet also promptly accepted the proposal to build the temple. But God had different plans. He revealed it to Nathan in the night that He had never asked anyone to build house for Him. God also revealed to Nathan that the offspring of David would build the house for Him but not him.
The careful reading in the God’s speech revealed plans of God for the people of Israel. There are ten things that God revealed to Nathan: 1) He would make a house for David. 2) He would raise offspring from his body. 3) God would establish his kingdom. 4) He would build house for God and He would establish his kingdom forever. 5) He would be father to him. 6) He would be son. 7) His kingdom would be made forever. 8) His throne would be established forever. 9) He would punish him with a rod for all iniquities, with blows inflicted by human beings. 10) But he would desert him but love him. God revealed His plans to David about his house. Are you thinking that it was Solomon in whom God fulfilled his promises? NO! There is something hidden in these promises. It was Jesus in whom God fulfilled all the promises. He is our King. The Church is his kingdom. He has built house in heaven for eternity. He sits at the right hand of Father for eternity. He took upon himself the Sin of the world. He called God, “Abba father”. God loves him forever. Therefore, Jesus is called the son of David. The fulfillment of the promises in the Old Testament.
If we were thinking that God was talking about Solomon, the son of David then we are like the disciples in the Gospel. Jesus spoke to them only in parables because they had refused to accept his teachings. The parables of Jesus were focused on God and His kingdom. It was easy for those who sought God in their lives but difficult for those who did not believe in Him. The mysteries of God are not easily comprehended; when one begins to dig into it, he finds it. The disciples could not understand the parables, they had to consult with Jesus. He revealed them the true meaning of the parable.
When David thought of building temple for the Ark of the Covenant. Nathan, the man of God was close to God. God revealed His plans to him. The disciples did not understand the meaning of the parables. Jesus revealed the hidden message behind the parable of the sower. We need to draw some lessons from here: whenever things are obscure, we can’t understand them we need to turn to God. He unfolds His plans to us. Every good thought may not be God’s thought therefore we need to surrender our plans to God. It is useless to go with our plans, without the approval from God. Therefore, seek always God’s counsel in all that you do. Seeking Jesus means seeking counsel of God. Let us turn to Jesus in all our difficulties of lives.
Fr. Alex D’Mello
