Tuesday, January 3, 2012

1/13/2012 – Friday of first week of ordinary time - 1 Samuel 8:4-7, 10-22a


       For many generations, the people of ancient Israel had been led by a confederation of tribes, but God brought forth leaders, priests, and prophets throughout Israel's history to lead his people. The tribes were supposed to help and protect each other, but often times they were too weak or too disorganized to be very effective. Many of the books of the Old Testament show the failures that happened to the people of Israel because of their lack of true unity.
         In our first reading today, the people approach Samuel, wanting a king for their nation after seeing the other nations around them prosper and gain military victories through the leadership of kings.  However, Samuel responds to the people that they already have a king, that they simply need to be more faithful to the king that they already have. But, to the people, having God as their king is not good enough; they want more, they want what their neighbors have. 
         Isn't that so much a part of our human nature today as well? Often, what we have isn't good enough for us.  So many in our society and in our world today envy the prosperity, success, and material goods of their neighbors.  Samuel tells the people of Israel what it will cost them when they make things other than God their king.  The same is true for us today.  The people of Israel refuse to listen to Samuel.  And what about us?  Are we listening?
         The psalmist tells us that we are blessed if we walk in the light of the Lord, if we rejoice in God's name & exalt in his justice.  May we truly follow in our hearts this road of faith that the Lord has put before us.  

No comments:

Post a Comment