THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Thursday in the First week in Ordinary time, 2022

1Sam 4:1-11

Ps 44

Mark 1:40-45

Memorial of St Hilary, Bishop and Doctor

The great defeat

Dear friends in Christ, the history of God’s people is replete with instances of Divine interruptions and providence. There were however times when even in the midst of plenty the people chose to go their own way.

What a sad event we have in our first reading of today? The Philistines lived by the coast, they were seafaring merchants, rich and more powerful than the Israelites. In the year 1050 BC, Israel which had failed to listen to the Lord, came into battle with the Philistines and suffered a defeat with a casualty figure of about 4,000 fighters. They couldn't believe the defeat, they said, “Why has the Lord put us to rout today before the Philistines?” Rather than change their ways, they decided to drag the Ark of God into their unholy battle. Though the Philistines were afraid, when they knew that the Ark of God had come into the camp, they were however motivated, to fight for their lives and their freedom. They said to themselves, “Take courage, and acquit yourselves like men, O Philistines, lest you become slaves to the Hebrews as they have been to you…” The result was clear, thirty thousand foot soldiers from among the Israelites were slain, and the Ark of God was captured. The sons of Eli—Hophni and Phinehas were also killed in the battle. What a fall? Israel was defeated and fled…every man to his home…

The Israel that went into this battle was not at peace with its God. The first defeat was minor, a sign to them, but they failed to read the handwriting on the wall. The Ark of God is a reminder of the love of God for his people, it contained the tablets of the commandment and not a magical weapon particularly when the commandments themselves have been violated.

The Bible, Crucifix, Rosaries, Scapulars and medals are signs and reminders of the same love of God for us, and not magical weapons. You cannot continue to violate the commandments of God and expect magic in the day of trouble. How many people have rosaries hanging around their necks and something else in their purse or around their waists? How about those who have things buried in their foundations or even hanging behind sacred images in their homes? How do you expect God to come to your rescue when your conscience is not clean, when you defraud your neighbour and your nation? Why do you continue to seek miracles when you’re steeped in sin and your way is not clean? Do away with things that are not pleasing to God, get reconciled and obey his commands. Trust in Him as you begin a new year.

Let us pray: Create in me a pure heart o God, and renew a right Spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, take not your Spirit from me. Amen. 

+Remain blessed