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.
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.
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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Open to growth
The gospel tells us that while the crowd sought Jesus out with a favourable attitude, His relatives set out to meet Him with a disapproving one. Interestingly, even before they saw or spoke and listened to Him, they were already prejudiced against Him. Perhaps they felt that they already knew everything there was to know about Him. Often, familiarity breeds contempt.
We, too, may be tempted to think that we already know everything about someone, about his/her capabilities. We may also be tempted to think that way about ourselves. As such, we may miss seeing the work that God is doing in one’s life. While realistic knowledge of oneself and others is important, it is also important not to close ourselves to the possibility of change and growth that a relationship with God can bring about. Today, let us ask for the grace to be open, not to allow our prejudices to prevent us from seeing the growth, however small, that God is working in our lives and in that of others.
Reflective question:
Do I see God working in me and in each person?
Do I see God working in me and in each person?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year B” by Sr Monika Punan FMVD.
