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January 20, 2022Yesterday, we saw David slay Goliath. In today’s First Reading, we see what to our eyes is a curious reaction – the women of the cities come out to sing about how many more people David has slain than Saul!
Saul reacts furiously – to the point of wanting to kill David. He discussed this with his son Jonathan and his servants. Jonathan, however, stood up for David to the point where Saul not only changes his mind but brought David back to serve him as before. The most remarkable aspect of this story for me is that Jonathan told David about Saul’s murderous rage and David was still willing to go back into Saul’s household.
Turning to our Gospel, we find that after the accounts of Jesus’ rejection by the Pharisees and Herodians, we have today’s positive account of the crowds who still follow Jesus and how he heals them. More than in the other Gospels, Mark highlights the healing ministry of Jesus and begins with four different references to him healing others. It’s a sign that the Kingdom of God is at work, and it shows how these powerful acts of Jesus are reflective of the Father’s desire that everyone be healed.
No wonder that crowds flock towards Jesus. The “unclean spirits” see it for what it is, even if the disciples and the crowds are less perceptive. We must never forget that any assistance we offer to the sick and the infirm marks us as disciples of Jesus and partners with him in working for the realization of the God’s kingdom.
