Tuesday January 18, 2022

Tuesday of 2nd Week in Ordinary Time

 A CELEBRATION FOR UNITY WEEK – Between January 18 and 25

 

We Have Divided Christ

It is a shame that Christianity is so much divided into churches and sects all claiming Christ as their Savior. This becomes very evident when, for example in one town, sometimes along the same central town plaza, there are churches of several different Christian denominations. Their leaders and people are often not on speaking terms with one another, call one another heretics or schismatics, and doubt whether the Lord will save those belonging to the other churches. How confusing all this must look to people who are honestly seeking Christ! Which Christ? May Jesus’ prayer help us to make his wish become a reality, “that all may be one.”

 

First Reading • 1 Samuel 16:1-13

God addressed Samuel: “So, how long are you going to mope over Saul? You know I’ve rejected him as king over Israel. Fill your flask with anointing oil and get going. I’m sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I’ve spotted the very king I want among his sons.”

^2-3 “I can’t do that,” said Samuel. “Saul will hear about it and kill me.”

God said, “Take a heifer with you and announce, ‘I’ve come to lead you in worship of God, with this heifer as a sacrifice.’ Make sure Jesse gets invited. I’ll let you know what to do next. I’ll point out the one you are to anoint.”

⁴ Samuel did what God told him. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the town fathers greeted him, but apprehensively. “Is there something wrong?”

⁵ “Nothing’s wrong. I’ve come to sacrifice this heifer and lead you in the worship of God. Prepare yourselves, be consecrated, and join me in worship.” He made sure Jesse and his sons were also consecrated and called to worship.

⁶ When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Here he is! God’s anointed!”

⁷ But God told Samuel, “Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. I’ve already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; Godlooks into the heart.”

⁸ Jesse then called up Abinadab and presented him to Samuel. Samuel said, “This man isn’t God’s choice either.”

⁹ Next Jesse presented Shammah. Samuel said, “No, this man isn’t either.”

¹⁰ Jesse presented his seven sons to Samuel. Samuel was blunt with Jesse, “God hasn’t chosen any of these.”

¹¹ Then he asked Jesse, “Is this it? Are there no more sons?”

“Well, yes, there’s the runt. But he’s out tending the sheep.”

Samuel ordered Jesse, “Go get him. We’re not moving from this spot until he’s here.”

¹² Jesse sent for him. He was brought in, the very picture of health—bright-eyed, good-looking.

God said, “Up on your feet! Anoint him! This is the one.”

¹³ Samuel took his flask of oil and anointed him, with his brothers standing around watching. The Spirit of God entered David like a rush of wind, God vitally empowering him for the rest of his life.

Samuel left and went home to Ramah.

  

Gospel • Mark 2:23-28

One Sabbath day he was walking through a field of ripe grain. As his disciples made a path, they pulled off heads of grain. The Pharisees told on them to Jesus: “Look, your disciples are breaking Sabbath rules!”

^25-28 Jesus said, “Really? Haven’t you ever read what David did when he was hungry, along with those who were with him? How he entered the sanctuary and ate fresh bread off the altar, with the Chief Priest Abiathar right there watching—holy bread that no one but priests were allowed to eat—and handed it out to his companions?” Then Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made to serve us; we weren’t made to serve the Sabbath. The Son of Man is no yes-man to the Sabbath. He’s in charge!”

 

Prayer

God, Lord and Father of all,

your word is Good News of unity and peace.

But how can we honestly proclaim a message of unity

if we ourselves are divided?

Help us understand and welcome one another,

bring together what we have scattered,

make us one heart and one mind

to build together your future and your kingdom

of dignity, justice and truth

in the one Spirit of him who is your Son and our brother,

Jesus Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.

 

Reflection:

See with the heart and not just with eyes.

Starting today till 25 of this month, all the Christian denominations around the world observe the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Let us join the universal Church that we may grow in to one family of God, sharing our faith in the One Lord Jesus.
Sibling rivalry happens all the time in our homes. The Pharisees in today’s Gospel, confront Jesus, because their fellow-Jews, but disciples of Jesus, have plucked some grain of wheat to eat on the Sabbath. They hold the master accountable for the wrongs of the disciples! “Your disciples broke the rules! Why?! You’re in BIG trouble.”

How often do we hear arguments in our church communities regarding the use of Church premises or properties, and often the majority group believe that they should stop others from using it! It is not because they have any special advantage by preventing someone from using the Church space, that they object it or complain about it. I suspect, this is because some people derive happiness in getting others into trouble and therefore, they complain.

Somehow, I can’t point my fingers at the Pharisees of today’s Gospel. Their behaviour reminds me of the part of my wrong self — the part of me that tries to accuse others doing something wrong… the part of me that plays “got you” kind of attitudes… the part of me that would consider myself better than the rest. It’s that part of me that makes a big noise over some guys plucking and chewing grain as they pass through the field on the Sabbath.

But Jesus uses the criticism by the Pharisees as an opportunity to talk about God’s love for us. The Sabbath is a gift of God and not a burden imposed upon us. When it comes to things that affect human dignity and survival, the person is more important than the norm. It is up to us to carry it out, in our daily life. Be like Jesus, attentive to needs of our neighbours.

By the way, before being “paparazzi” of our brothers, let us remember the words of Saint Francis de Sales: “Before judging our neighbour, let us put him in our place and ourselves in his, and surely our judgment will then be right and charitable.”

The issue was not the plucking of grain on the Sabbath, but Jesus, the “son of man,” as Lord of the Sabbath. Narrating the story of this dispute between Pharisees and Jesus, Mark aims to teach his listeners the true identity of Jesus. Jesus is the Lord who brings us clarity of vision so that we could see with the heart and see beyond the prescriptions of the Law.

Video available on Youtube :See with the heart and not just with eyes.