Memorial
of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr
By Beth DeCristofaro
 |
Illustration of Luke 9:2
Terri Scott[i]
|
When David and Saul approached (on
David’s return after slaying the Philistine),…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 Samuel 18:6, 7-8)
He had cured many and, as a result,
those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. (Mark 3:10)
Piety
For all who are tempted to sin against life,
that they might turn from darkness
and embrace the infinite love and light of God;
We pray to the Lord
that they might turn from darkness
and embrace the infinite love and light of God;
We pray to the Lord
And
that we might have the courage and conviction
To
embrace the infinite love and light of God
In
a world full of distracting and misleading choices.
We
pray to the Lord.
(Adapted
from Intercessory Prayers for Life, USCCB)
Study
One
of the most difficult tasks that I had to undertake as a manager was laying off
a dedicated and skilled employee due to budget cuts. In advocating for her as decisions were being
deliberated, my own supervisor gave me a bit of advice which has stayed with
me. She said that the organization and
the programs we provided had to be prioritized above any one person if the
service to be rendered is at risk of ending.
It did not make it any easier or comforting but it put things into
perspective for me. Relationships between boss and employee, between company
and worker can be awkward. Even if
relationships are good, the balance of power is never even.
Saul,
as King, was anointed by God to lead the people but he got lost in that balance
of power. His jealousy of David’s feats
and popularity were fueled by his sense of privilege. His reaction became deadly and swung the
story toward an ending which would be tragic for his legacy. God anointed Saul who was a very human person
and another would replace Saul. Today,
leaders are often themselves motivated by inner compasses which lose their
bearing toward the good of their peoples.
Yet
God still loved Saul, David and us today.
Jesus’ inner compass never wavered from pointing at the source of Life
and Love. In yesterday’s Gospel he cured
a man in defiance of the leaders’ rigid rules.
He continued to heal, not looking to lead but to serve, to reconcile, to
bring hope, to point the way to eternal union with God. He touches even those most lost and
despairing today through us who point the way to God by our good works and
faith.
Action
Tonight
is the Prayer Vigil for Life on the eve of the March for Life. Spend some time in prayer for an end to
abortion, human trafficking, oppression by dictators, abuse, racism, war,
torture, the death penalty, and religious persecution. The USCCB invites us to join pilgrims who
petition for “a greater respect for all human life.”
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