January 21, 2010
Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Jonathan then spoke well of David to his father Saul, saying to him: "Let not your majesty sin against his servant David, for he has committed no offense against you, but has helped you very much by his deeds. When he took his life in his hands and slew the Philistine, and the LORD brought about a great victory for all Israel through him, you were glad to see it. Why, then, should you become guilty of shedding innocent blood by killing David without cause?" Saul heeded Jonathan's plea and swore, "As the LORD lives, he shall not be killed." 1 Samuel 19:4-6
He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, "You are the Son of God." He warned them sternly not to make him known. Mark 3:10-12
Piety
I choose to breathe the breath of Christ that makes all life Holy. I choose to live the flesh of Christ that outlasts sin’s corrosion and decay. I choose the blood of Christ along my veins and in my hearts that dizzies me with joy. I choose the living waters flowing from his side to wash clean my own self and the world. I choose the awful agony of Christ to change my senseless sorrows into meaning and to make my pain pregnant with power. I choose you, good Jesus, count me among the victories that you have won in bitter woundedness. Never number me among those alien to you. Make me safe from all that seeks to destroy me. Summon me to come to you. Stand me solid among angels and saints chanting yes to all you have done, in all you mean to do forever and ever. Then, for this time, Father of all, keep me from the core of myself choosing Christ in the world. Amen. (Joseph Tetlow, SJ. From Hearts on Fire: Praying with Jesuits)
Study
Saul faces an internal conflict. His jealousy is tempting him to eliminate a rival for the adoration of the people by killing David. However, Jonathan intervenes first by warning David to hide out in private and then by becoming David’s advocate before Saul. Jonathan successfully mediates reconciliation between the current and future king.
Jesus, too, is dealing with the by-products of conflict. After the confrontation in the temple over curing the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath, Jesus withdraws from the temple but can not escape the conflicts that his Way causes with others around him. Jesus takes refuge from the perils that await him back in Jerusalem yet, his ministry continues, as noted by Ched Myers in Binding the Strong Man.
Jesus could have cured the man with the withered hand in private and avoided planting the seeds of further conflict with the Pharisees and scribes. But instead, he did that in the midst of the temple on a crowded Sabbath. Now, he works among crowds of new followers.
The mission has grown with people coming to Jesus from all parts of the land. Jesus draws people to himself through his teaching and deeds of power. Despite his admonitions to those he cures not to make him known, Jesus acts out his ministry in public where he can not really be in a position to manage the news.
Today, conflict shifts to those with the demonic spirits. Myers notes that Mark portrays Jesus in a struggle with unclean spirits over the power to “name” him and control his identity. The disciples are confused about who he is. ("Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?" Mark 4:41)
Yet, the demonic forces know exactly, and they believe they can bring him under their control by announcing to the public who he is. Thus Jesus routinely forbids unclean spirits to “make him known.” Jesus tries to silence demons and humans this way.
In Jesus’ confrontation with the unclean spirits and later with church and political authorities, the real issue is “who has the power to frame reality.” As we watch this conflict unfold in subsequent chapters, there is no one who steps forward like Jonathan to advocate for Jesus as the forces gather against him.
Action
Are you called to be like Jonathan and advocate for some one or some issue? A recent e-mail from Anne Murphy reminded me that we are all called to be Jonathans. Anne wrote:
Today, more than 200 faith-filled Virginians advocated with legislators on behalf of those more needy than they. And legislators and their staff listened and hearts were moved. Person-to-person advocacy is always effective.
This year (biennial budget), more than ever, we CANNOT be silent. Our sisters and brothers whose voice is muted by hunger, mental illness, unemployment, homelessness, poverty, sickness are depending on us to speak with them and for them with the government officials who we elected. The very life blood of these people in need is threatened by draconian budget cuts being proposed. The budget is being balanced on the backs of those most helpless. Let us remind our Virginia lawmakers, "All economic life should be shaped by moral principles. Economic choices and institutions must be judged by how they protect or undermine the life and dignity of the human person, support the family, and serve the common good."
Consider joining other Catholics in Richmond next Thursday, January 28 to participate in the planned events of Catholic Advocacy Day at the Virginia General Assembly. For registration information, go to www.vacathjolic.org.
There is bus transportation available: The first departure point is the parking lot of the Cathedral of St. Thomas More on Glebe Road in Arlington. There is a second pick-up point at exit 133b on I-95 south.
