Wednesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Life can be so demanding. It feels like life is so busy with work, family and friends, participating in church, not to mention our volunteering efforts and our hobbies. Often, it can seem difficult just to catch our breath. On top of all of that, there are situations or people that stand in front of our path forward. Sometimes these people and situations seem to be regular obstacles set out to distract if not destroy our discipleship.
The Philistines were such an obstacle for Israel. They had set out to destroy the armies of Israel. In the process of preparing for the battle, Goliath insults the God of Israel and issues a challenge to the armies of Israel. He suggests that he will fight one of their soldiers from the army of Israel. Whoever loses, their army and nation will be the slaves of the victor. Full of confidence, David went forward to fight Goliath. As David moved toward the Philistine, Goliath’s contempt grew for he was insulted at the youth coming forward to battle him with a staff. Goliath insulted David the way he had insulted the God of Israel.
David brushed off Goliath’s contempt and confidently retorted that the God of Israel would this day bring him victory. While David’s victory is a testament to God; David’s courage and faith is for us a model of healthy discipleship. What happens when we are faced with a contemptuous situation or person in our path? How do we approach it when this contempt is because of our faith? David believed that God, who had delivered him from the attack of the lion and bear, would deliver him from the Philistine. Do we, like David, believe the Lord will be with us in the face of difficult circumstances? Like David, we have been given all need for journey. Are we willing to march forward trusting in God’s protection? If not, what holds us back?
Like David, Jesus was aware of the contempt of others for him. In today’s Gospel, the contempt is almost tactile as the Pharisees wait to see if Jesus will act against the law on the Sabbath. Undeterred by the contempt, Jesus utilizes this healing on the Sabbath as a teaching moment for the Glory of God. The Pharisees, undeterred by this glorious miracle, set out to destroy Jesus.
When and where is it that we stand firm? Who do we choose to stand with, Goliath and the Pharisees, or David and Jesus?
- Mike Montgomery