1 Sam 16:1,6-7, 10-13; Psa 22; Eph 5:8-14; Jn 9:1-41
Theme: God’s Ways Are Not Our Ways
The first reading of today presents us with the famous story of God’s choosing of David instead of his elder brothers. In the house of Jesse, Samuel demonstrated the general human way of seeing things. Upon seeing the eldest son of Jesse, who was huge, Samuel concluded: ‘this must be God’s anointed’. But God refuted Samuel’s thought. We are not to blame Samuel so much because when God asked him to anoint Saul, Saul was presented as being higher than any other person, from his shoulders and upward (1 Sam 9:2; 10:23). So, when it comes to choosing from the sons of Jesse, he tried to apply the same yardstick, but God used the opportunity to teach him that he is not a stereotyped God.
The question that comes to mind is: why did God not just tell Samuel at the beginning whom it was he has chosen? God could have straightaway told Samuel “Ask for David, son of Jesse, the caretaker of his father’s flock…he is the one I have chosen”, just as he did in the case of Saul (1 Sam 9:15-17), but he did not. In fact, Jesse, after presenting his seven sons, did not care to call for David, until Samuel asked him (v.11). This teaches us that sometimes God makes clear the road he wants us to take in life to achieve what we aim. But some other times, he allows us to go through our different options, which may be rigorous sometimes, before arriving at the one he has chosen and ordained for us. Samuel patiently went through Jesse’s sons. And he was very attentive to hear God’s voice over the option standing before him. Are we patient enough to explore all the alternatives we have in life? Are we patient enough to study and access each of the alternatives? Samuel did not neglect any of the alternatives. He did not relax until the youngest son, David, was brought back and presented.
Sometimes, after we have accessed the options at our reach, and those we consider important, we forget the almost insignificant ones we have too. In our world, there are certain lifestyles, occupations etc, which we have set out and believe that they are what one must do in order to become great. This kind of mentality was present in the time of Samuel. But God shows us today that his analysis and judgment are different from that of men. Do not neglect any option, talent, opportunity, which God brings your way. Do not fix your eyes only on things so high because most at times, greatness lies with the neglected, abandoned and belittled. Pick up that talent you consider insignificant! Examine again that option which you do not give any attention! Present it before the Lord, pray over it, and God will transform it with his Spirit, as he did to David.
Most importantly, David did not need to be huge and tall like Saul, nor like any of his senior brothers before he was chosen by God. Even in the following text, 1 Sam 17:38-40, when David was about to fight against Goliath, and Saul clothed him with his military garment, the Scripture says that David could not move in them because he was not used to them. He defeated Goliath, not in imitating to be another person, but in being himself. David was chosen to be a king, not while imitating to be another person, but in maintaining who he was. The most important thing is that his heart was straight before the Lord. It is not in making ourselves to be like others, but in using what God has given us.
Just like in the first reading, in the gospel reading of today, Jesus undertakes to teach us that things are not always the way men perceive them. The disciples of Jesus, seeing a man born blind, ask Jesus: Who sinned, this man or his parents so that he was born blind? (Jn 9:2). This question presents the view then that any physical illness which one suffers, must be a consequence of a sin. But it is interesting to see how Jesus shifts the attention from such consequential sin-punishment relationship, to seeking to see and understand God’s divine plan in every situation (Jn 9:3). When we see someone suffering misfortune, let us shun the quick human desire of bracketing the person under ‘the unfortunate ones. Not every set back, disease, illness, misfortune or disappointment, is as a result of one’s misdeed. Solutions come, not in our running around looking for answers, nor in our investigation on cause and effects, but in prayerful moments with God.
That we have certain natural defects, is not a problem. It only becomes a problem when we try to see it as ‘this is the way I was born, and therefore, it is far from being abnormal”. Whether from birth or not, an abnormal situation or characteristic remains abnormal, and in need of God’s healing. May God give us the light, as St. Paul tells the Ephesians, so that we may always see beyond the way the world sees. May God help us never to neglect any person or opportunity he brings along our path. May God give us the light, that we may see God’s glory even in unfavorable situations and circumstances.
Wishing you and yours, a very wonderful Sunday celebration. Be happy in and for the Lord!