2nd Friday in Ordinary time, Yr 2, January 19, 2024
1 Sm 24:3-21; Ps 57:2-4, 6, 11; Mk 3:13-19
There are two very important actions that take place in today’s readings. The first being David not taking action against King Saul. This is a prefiguring of the kingdom to come and sets up the future kingdom of David. We know that God promised the Messiah would come from the lineage of David. By David sparing Saul, he sets the precedent of Jesus’ coming and the new covenant, the covenant of love. It took both David and Saul to participate for this to happen. David, on his part, deciding to show forgiveness and mercy on Saul even though he could easily have killed King Saul. And Saul, showing humility, grace, and forgiveness for David, even though he, too, could have easily attacked and wiped out David and his army. This act of reconciliation between the two of them shows how much love God has for us, and how much love we should have for each other. Take heed and eliminate the vindictive nature in ourselves that demands retribution and show mercy and love instead.
The second important act is Jesus assigning the 12 disciples. As the scripture says, the 12 represent the 12 tribes of Israel, which are representative of the old covenant. Jesus purposely calls these men by name. Why? So they can personally answer His call. Much like Jesus calls us at Baptism and Confirmation. In fact, we take on a new name at Confirmation, the name of the saint we picked to help us. The one we call on as we answer Jesus’ call and enter into the discipleship of Jesus. The saint who has gone before us with a perfect example of what it means to follow Jesus and to do it in love. A time for us to leave our old lives behind, and fully participate in a new life with Christ. A time for us to begin our new covenant with Jesus and the Church. The new covenant, which we will hear more about from Jesus in the coming weeks. The new covenant of love.
Saint James Catholic Church 