💖 HOMILY - JANUARY 17 💖

First Reading - 1 Samuel 17:32-51

Gospel - Mark 3:1-6

We observe the hours of prayer and other spiritual exercises but do we meet the purpose of doing those practices? It's probable that the spiritual practices, that we do, are confined to one distinct part of our daily lives like all other activities of everyday. The readings of the day invite us to dig out the purpose of our spiritual practices. The spiritual exercises that we do should make us a person who clings to what is good and pleasing to God and tries to avoid every circumstance of evil. 

The first reading narrates the most beloved story of David killing Goliath. The story of David killing Goliath is not primarily a story about human courage and effort; instead, it is about the awesome power of a life built around bold faith in the Lord. This account demonstrates the power of a single faith-filled life to inspire an entire army to victory and the vulnerability of all who "defy the armies of the living God" (vv. 26,36) when confronted by individuals who possess courageous faith in the Lord. As McCarter states, "It is Yahweh who gives victory and he may give it to the weak (Israel) in order that his power might be known to all."

David, in the story, stands for a person of strong faith in God and with this faith withstands and defeats Goliath. It's faith in God that infuses courage in David to overcome evil as represented by Goliath.

The gospel presents a contentious scene of the healing of a man with withered hands. Certainly, it was a Sabbath day and a day set for prayer and reflection. However, the original intention of the day of Sabbath was forgotten or tarnished. Jesus bares open the original plan of God about the Sabbath that is to give life; that is to do good. 

My dear friends, faith is best expressed in our loving relationship with God through prayers and spiritual exercises. Faith is also to be lived in our daily lives as David exhibits in the first reading. Jesus teaches us through the gospel of today to make the hours of prayers and spiritual exercises, which are the expressions of faith, the hours of moulding and shaping to become good persons by doing good to one another. If we are not concerned about doing good and becoming good in the sight of God, all our efforts of our sacrifices for the spiritual journey will be mere a part of our activity with no effect in our lives. The law of Sabbath was meant to bring people closer to God and one another by sparing time in prayer and with the family members and other fellow men. Jesus re-emphasized that the law of Sabbath is connected to our relationship with God and that is strengthened by seeking good for one another.

May God mould our hearts to become good and do good to one another.