These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
“Alas! the glory of Israel, Saul, slain upon your heights; how can the warriors have fallen! Saul and Jonathan, beloved and cherished, separated neither in life nor in death, swifter than eagles, stronger than lions! Women of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet and in finery, who decked your attire with ornaments of gold. How can the warriors have fallen–in the thick of the battle, slain upon your heights! I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother! most dear have you been to me; more precious have I held love for you than love for women. How can the warriors have fallen, the weapons of war have perished!” (2 Sam 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012222.cfm
David’s Lament over Saul and Jonathan expresses the grief the entire human race has experienced from the ravages of war. The Ave Maria today is by British singer, Jonathan Antoine (born 1995) when he was only 15 years old.
Saul took three thousand picked men from all Israel and went in search of David and his men in the direction of the wild goat crags. (1 Sam 24:3-21)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012122.cfm
A very dramatic scene in the saga of David—Saul is within his grasp, yet David refuses to harm the Lord’s anointed. Today is the feast of Saint Agnes (291-304), one of many young women who were martyred during the persecutions of the early church. Their bravery in the face of torture and death is still remembered and celebrated.
When David and Saul approached (on David’s return after slaying the Philistine), women came out from each of the cities of Israel to meet King Saul, singing and dancing, with tambourines, joyful songs, and sistrums. The women played and sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” Saul was very angry and resentful of the song, for he thought: “They give David ten thousands, but only thousands to me. All that remains for him is the kingship.” And from that day on, Saul was jealous of David. (1 Sam 18:6-9; 19:1-7)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012022.cfm
Problems for David . . . Jonathan intervenes and saves David from the wrath of the king. There was a fascinating yet short-lived television series, entitled Kings. It was based on the biblical story of David and was filled with lots palace intrigue, just like the story of David. Today's photo is of a work by Swedish painter, Ernst Josephson (1851-1906), entitled David & Saul (1878).
Jesus entered the synagogue. There was a man there who had a withered hand. They watched Jesus closely to see if he would cure him on the sabbath so that they might accuse him. He said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up here before us.” Then he said to the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” But they remained silent. Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death. (Mk 3:1-6)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011922.cfm
You would think that good church people would have been pleased about Jesus healing the man with the withered hand. Instead, they plotted to put him to death. Today's picture is a painting entitled Pharisees (1912) by Karl Schmidt-Rottluff (1884-1976).
Then Samuel asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” Jesse replied, “There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send for him; we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here.” Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them. He was ruddy, a youth handsome to behold and making a splendid appearance. The LORD said, “There–anoint him, for this is he!” Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand, anointed him in the midst of his brothers;and from that day on, the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David. (1 Sam 16:1-13)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011822.cfm
After presenting 7 sons to Samuel, poor Jesse must have been surprised and a bit exasperated when the old prophet asked, “Are these all the sons you have?” But God chose the youngest son, David . . . and the rest is salvation history.
