Monday, January 23, 2012

1/30/2012 – Monday of fourth week of ordinary time - 2 Samuel 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13


        The context of today's reading from the 2nd book of Samuel is that King David is evacuating his people from Jerusalem.  His son, Absalom, has stolen the hearts of the nation and has raised up a rebellion to overthrow his father from the throne. We hear of David's encounter with Shimei, who is cursing David and casting stones at him, while David's men are trying to protect him. 
         Shimei reminds me of the way the media often treats heroes and celebrities in our society.  When there is a star or a hero, we give him accolades and adulation.  But, when those same stars are down-and-out or struggling, the media seems to relish the misery and kick them when they are down.  Think of the movie stars, politicians, & sports figures who've been treated this way; we can see similarities in how Shimei treats David.  By contrast, Jesus didn't curse people or throw stones at them or harm them when they were down or hurting or struggling, as he shows us in the healing in today's Gospel of the man possessed by demons. 
         Shimei accuses David of the murder and bloodshed of Saul's family, the king prior to David.  Shimei is looking for someone to blame, and he places the blame at the feet of David.  Yet, David does not allow his men to kill and silence Shimei, as Abishai proposes to do.  David remembers his sins; he is willing to endure the abuse he receives from Shimei, perhaps in atonement and recognition of those sins.  As we recognize our sins, we need to repent and to do penance for them.  Perhaps David is moving in the right direction here.
         As we get closer to the holy season of Lent, perhaps this is a good reading for us to reflect upon so that we will recognize those occasions that help us gain awareness of our sin & the need for repentance and conversion. 

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