First reading 2 Samuel 1:1-4,11-12,17,19,23-27
David’s lament over Saul and Jonathan
David returned from his rout of the Amalekites and spent two days in Ziklag. On the third day a man came from the camp where Saul had been, his garments torn and earth on his head. When he came to David, he fell to the ground and did homage. ‘Where do you come from?’ David asked him. ‘I have escaped from the Israelite camp’ he said. David said to him, ‘What happened? Tell me.’ He replied, ‘The people have fled from the battlefield and many of them have fallen. Saul and his son Jonathan are dead too.’
Then David took hold of his garments and tore them, and all the men with him did the same. They mourned and wept and fasted until the evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, for the people of the Lord and for the House of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
Then David made this lament over Saul and his son Jonathan.
Alas, the glory of Israel has been slain on your heights!
How did the heroes fall?
Saul and Jonathan, loved and lovely,
neither in life, nor in death, were divided.
Swifter than eagles were they,
stronger were they than lions.
O daughters of Israel, weep for Saul
who clothed you in scarlet and fine linen,
who set brooches of gold
on your garments.
How did the heroes fall
in the thick of the battle?
O Jonathan, in your death I am stricken,
I am desolate for you, Jonathan my brother.
Very dear to me you were,
your love to me more wonderful
than the love of a woman.
How did the heroes fall
and the battle armour fail?
Responsorial Psalm 79(80):2-3,5-7
Let your face shine on us, O Lord, and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hear us,
you who lead Joseph’s flock,
shine forth from your cherubim throne
upon Ephraim, Benjamin, Manasseh.
O Lord, rouse up your might,
O Lord, come to our help.
Let your face shine on us, O Lord, and we shall be saved.
Lord God of hosts, how long
will you frown on your people’s plea?
You have fed them with tears for their bread,
an abundance of tears for their drink.
You have made us the taunt of our neighbours,
our enemies laugh us to scorn.
Let your face shine on us, O Lord, and we shall be saved.
Gospel Mark 3:20-21
Jesus’ relatives were convinced he was out of his mind
Jesus went home, and once more such a crowd collected that they could not even have a meal. When his relatives heard of this, they set out to take charge of him, convinced he was out of his mind.
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The courage to live like Jesus
Today’s short gospel passage reflects the sad reality that many people could not understand Jesus and accept His choice of living His life as an itinerant preacher instead of staying in His family carpentry trade. “When his relations heard of this, they set out to take charge of him; they said, ‘He is out of his mind’”. Looking at Jesus, they thought that He was mad. Yet, despite the rejections and misunderstandings, Jesus remained faithful in doing God’s work.
There are times when we choose to walk the path of Jesus, i.e. to love more, work for a just environment, speak the truth to someone, etc., we might be misunderstood and even rejected by others. In such situations, we need to turn to Jesus and ask for courage and determination to choose to live by the gospel values.
Question for reflection:
Am I free from the expectations and opinions of others so that I may live and act like Jesus?
Am I free from the expectations and opinions of others so that I may live and act like Jesus?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr. Sandra Seow FMVD.
