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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