Tuesday
of the 4th Week of Ordinary Time
February 4, 2014 6:30am
Each of today’s readings shows a
father in real anguish and each of them gives us a valuable piece of spiritual
guidance.
The background to today’s first
reading is that King David has made some mistakes with his family.
David and his son Absalom had
become alienated.
Things had spiraled to the point
that Absalom was trying to overthrow his father as king.
David sends his army commander
Joab to battle and beat back the rebels but with the clear instruction not to
kill or harm Absalom.
His orders are not followed and
Joab kills Absalom.
David, no matter what Absalom has
done, remains a parent, a father.
He is in great anguish.
His words are so piercing: “My
son, Absalom! If only I had died instead
of you, Absalom, my son!”
The lesson here: follow the way
of Jesus.
Deal with hurts and deal with
alienation when it happens.
Be humble and admit your own
wrongdoings.
Ask for forgiveness and in turn
be willing to forgive.
Seek help from a third party if
need be.
Do this as a parent or son or
daughter or a spouse or a friend, whatever.
A powerful lesson.
Then, in the gospel, a synagogue
leader, named Jairus, again a parent, a father, is greatly distressed because
his daughter is very ill.
He risks his position and status by
appealing to Jesus for help.
Jesus is seen as a rebel,
anti-establishment figure.
And, of course, Jesus responds.
He brings this little girl back
to life.
The lesson here: stay centered on
Jesus.
He can bring light where there is
darkness.
He can bring life where there is
death.
But we need to be humble, to
admit our need of him, to make space for him in our lives and seek him out.
So, two stories with two, and
actually maybe really one lesson about our centeredness in Jesus and living out
of our faith in him no matter what.
