Tuesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Consider the last time you were at a party that was very clearly happening to celebrate God’s presence in our lives. Maybe it was a baptism, confirmation, or carefully-prepared Christmas celebration. Some weddings are also a clear celebration not only of the couple, but of God’s love for us. Whatever your memory can supply, consider that party and the party portrayed in today’s reading from Samuel.
What emotions come with these two parties? How did the event connect the celebration with the reason for celebrating? As Samuel tells it, David dances in an apron, and “with abandon.” Remembering that this has been translated from ancient Hebrew to Greek to English, you can imagine how this originally might have read the way we talk about that crazy thing that happened... ‘Remember when King David got the party started by dancing around in a servant’s apron!’ (If that doesn’t make you smile, read it again.) Everyone gets into the celebratory atmosphere, blowing horns and whooping and hollering (I believe that’s the modern translation for ‘shouts of joy’). All this happens between two sets of sacrifices; it’s like taking a break at the sign of peace to dance and whoop and clap for a while.
God’s presence among us is certainly worth celebrating. The Lord gives us victories over evil, just as he did for David and Israel; that’s worth celebrating too! The ark of the covenant represented for Israel God’s continued presence among them. When are you most aware of God’s abiding presence in your life? Whether in the Sacraments or some other way, divine presence is a great gift. It nourishes us with true spiritual food.
As we slog through these winter months of ordinary time, let’s continue to draw strength from the Joy of the Lord. Let’s remember that we are in God’s presence, and seek out those sacramental moments so that our connection to God remains strong. Amen.
—Chris Nieport