Ordinary Time, Thursday, 1-11-24, Year B
Readings: 1st Reading 1 Sm 4:1-11; Ps 44:10-11, 14-15, 25-26; Gospel; Mk 1:40-45
Theme: Faith and Trust Will Accomplish the Goal
When we are most deeply challenged yet convinced of our ability to change that challenge into success, we become acutely focused on the task at hand. We have courage because we fully trust in those who will help us. We believe that we can muster that courage and support to accomplish the goal and be successful.
Many of those who are successful at overturning challenges recognize others who helped them on their way and are thankful for them. Then there are others of us that pat ourselves on the back and say, “I did that!” failing to recognize those who helped them achieve the goal. The chances of the latter being successful again are not good.
What gives us that courage and will to actually be successful? Many people believe that they themselves are the source and summit of their abilities to enact change, to turn a challenge into a success, yet never realize the help and support they receive from others, especially God.
When we fail at turning that challenge into a success, we have a tendency to look at someone or something that caused our failure. Rarely do we take complete and full responsibility for our choices and actions that caused the failure in the first place. We failed because we did not trust ourselves or others along the way or believe that there is more to ourselves than we see.
To be successful, we must completely believe in and be committed to the end result we are seeking. Through our belief and commitment, we become acutely aware of our path and the resources we need to accomplish our goals. Many people who are not successful neither fully believe they can win, trust in others to help, or are not committed to accomplishing the end goal in the first place.
We only have to look at the story of David and Goliath. Any other man on that battlefield would have been defeated by Goliath because they neither believed nor were committed to the end goal of slaying the giant. But David was. Why? Because, by aligning himself with his belief in God’s help and protection, he did not doubt his path to the end goal of defeating Goliath. He was confident and convicted that his actions, backed by God Himself, would be successful. And so, through trust in God, he was successful.
Goliath was defeated in the midst of all the armies on that battlefield. David never doubted that God was his shield and defender. He thanked God for that day and never looked back to his own abilities or lacked faith again.
In our first reading today from 1 Samual, we see the failure of the Hebrew army against the Philistines because of their lack of belief and commitment to God. Eli’s sons were so faithless and sinful in the sight of the Lord, because of their gross treatment of the house of God and the Ark of the Covenant, that God abandoned them to their own designs. The Ark of the Covenant did not help them because their religious piety was only to follow the law and do it without trust or faith in God. God did not help them in the fight because there was no faith in Him to help them reach their goal of defeating the Philistines.
On the other hand, we have exactly the opposite in today’s Gospel. The leper was convinced and fully believed that his challenging affliction could be healed by Jesus. He was convinced in his beliefs, trusted in Jesus as his friend, and fully believed that Jesus would heal him. The leper never doubted. And so, Jesus healed the leper, who in turn gave thanks to Jesus for his new life by evangelizing others.
If we are challenged and want to overcome it, we must be committed to the end result, believing we can accomplish it and recognizing the support given to us by others, especially God, without any doubt. Then, and only then, will we be successful.
If you are struggling, fully trust in Jesus to answer you, to heal you, and to love you. He will, in return, answer you, heal you, and love you completely.
Saint James Catholic Church 