Homily for Thursday, Week 2 of Ordinary Time

Homily for Thursday, Week 2
of Ordinary Time
Year II

Jan. 18, 2018
1 Sam 18: 6-9; 19: 1-7
Nativity, Washington, D.C.

We heard yesterday of David’s battle against Goliath and the great victory that Israel won following that (1 Sam 17).  Chapters follow that report David’s service in Saul’s army and more victories in battle.  Today we hear how popular he’s become among all the people, including in Saul’s own household.  Both his victories and his popularity are results of his favor with God, marked by his anointing as the next king of Israel (our reading on Tuesday: 1 Sam 16:1-13).  He is empowered by God.

Saul, on the other hand, has been disowned by God because he hasn’t faithfully obeyed God’s wishes, as we heard in Monday’s reading (1 Sam 15:16-23).  Aware of that and aware of David’s popularity, he begins to act jealously and irrationally.  Some believe he may have been suffering from schizophrenia.  He begins to plot against David, trying both directly and indirectly to kill him, eventually compelling David to flee.  We start to read about that today, and you can read a lot more in the following chapters (ch. 18-27) at home.

Saul Threatening David

(José [Jusepe] Leonardo de Chavier)

But Saul’s son Jonathan, the heir to his throne, has befriended David.  They become like brothers to each other, intensely loyal, each pledging to defend and protect the other.  In today’s reading, Jonathan is already doing that in the face of his father’s hatred (19:1-7).  David promises that he will always protect Jonathan’s descendants—a pledge he does in fact carry out after Jonathan falls in battle alongside his father (1 Sam 31).

In our reading today we witness the power of God enabling his chosen one to carry out the mission given to him.  Each of us is likewise empowered to live out our own vocation, whatever it may be.  God’s favor rests on us, as it did on David, for we too have been chosen and anointed—by Baptism and Confirmation.

Then we see what evil jealousy drives people to.  We may have felt this vice in our own hearts or been victims of it.  Jealousy may lead us to wish harm to others, to attempt to harm others by word or by deed.  It’s a grave temptation, and we have to be on guard against it.

Finally, we see the friendship and loyalty between Jonathan and David.  How precious is a solid friendship, especially a spiritual one!  How precious is the virtue of loyalty when it’s based on truth and goodness.  It’s important for us to have good, loyal friends who will stand with us and with whom we will stand in times of need and in happy times.