Theme: We need to depend on God rather than our own strengths.
Scripture: 2 Sam 24:2.9-17; Ps. 32: 1-2, 5,6,7; Mk. 6:1-6
David decided to number the people of Israel. He sent his generals to count the people from Dan to Beer-sheba (from north to south). This was against the principle by God. (Ex. 30:12). It was said that God alone owns his people. In the ancient near eastern tradition, a man had right to count his own things. People of Israel were not belonged to David. They were belonged to God. David was just appointed a shepherd over them. David got tempted to take credit of the prosperity of Israel. He counted the men who could fight battle for him. He forgot that all the battles were won by the grace of God. David realized his mistake that he had disregarded God. He pleaded for mercy but God gave him three choices as a part of punishment; famine for three years, run before the enemy for three months, pestilences for three days in the land. David chose pestilences for three days. It was so severe that David had to plead before God for mercy.
We find the inhabitants of Nazareth also disregarded Jesus for his wisdom and extraordinary healing powers in the Gospel. When Jesus came to his own home town for the first time, the people did not accept him. Nazareth was not a big town. It was an insignificant village. There were not more than few hundred inhabitants. Every person knew Jesus so well because Jesus spent all his childhood in Nazareth. He should have been given a warm welcome. But they began to be skeptical about his family background, his ancestral business, his cousins who played with them. The inhabitant of Nazareth did not accept Jesus who grew up in the ordinary circumstances. They could not believe in the power of God. They could not believe that Jesus had received wisdom, understanding and gift of preaching and healing from God. The inhabitant of Nazareth relied on the human faculties just like King David. Due to hardness of heart, Jesus could not perform any mighty deeds. It was a punishment that they received for their unbelief.
There is possibility that we may rely on our human capabilities rather than God. We need to learn from today’s liturgy of the word that we are called to rely on God more than on our strengths. It requires faith. Jesus was always amazed at the lack of faith and the depth of faith. Faith is the door by which Jesus enters into our hearts. The opening is from within. Are we ready to open the door for Jesus? Are we ready to rely on God rather than our human strengths?
Fr. Alex D’Mello
