The context of today's reading from the 2nd book of Samuel is that King David is evacuating his people from Jerusalem. David’s son, Absalom, has stolen the hearts of the nation and has raised up a rebellion to overthrow his father as king. David encounters a man named Shimei, who is curses David and casts 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 someone 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, and sports figures who've been treated this way, and 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 struggling, as he shows us in the healing in today's Gospel of the man possessed by demons.
Shimei accuses David of murder and bloodshed of Saul's family, the king prior to David. Shimei is looking for someone to blame. 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 his sins. As we recognize our sins, we are called in our faith to repent and to do penance for them. Perhaps David is moving in the right direction here.
We are just entering the month of February. In the last week of this month, we will be entering 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 sins and the need for repentance and conversion.
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