Dance with Abandon

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012318.cfm) reminds me that God wants me to dance with Abandon. 

Generally, people are very conscious of other people. We mind how people see us. We take note of how people think of us. We give importance to our reputation. This is especially true for leaders or people in power or authority. They are careful how to act and how others, especially those under their jurisdiction, see them. 

David did not act this way. 

What struck me the most was how David danced. He Danced with abandon – meaning he let go of everything. Never mind if he is king, or what other people will think of him when they see him dancing like that, or if they will still respect and obey him after that. David danced with abandon because he was dancing for God – to praise, worship and glorify God. He was happy, for God was with them throughout their journey, their battles. God was with them, and they knew everything will be blessed, that everything will fall into place.

This is what God wants from us. 

In the gospel, Jesus said that his family are the people who does the will of God. The will of God, not of other people. Focus on God, on how God sees us, and not on our worldly reputation. This is how God wants us to act. This is how he wants us to live. 

How do you dance? How do you serve? 

Do you serve half-heartedly, worrying what other people may think of you, or worrying about your career, reputation, finances, etc? Or are you like David, who let go, who danced with abandon? What you do for God doesn’t matter too much, it may be big or small, maybe simple singing or dancing, as long as done with abandon for God, is well appreciated by God. What’s important for him is we give our all as we serve him, no matter what we do for Him. 

May we let go of what is holding us back from serving God with abandon, and expect him to bless us mightily as we surrender everything to Him.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to experience your love. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the many times I hold back. Sorry for the many times I focus on other people instead of you. Sorry for giving more importance on my image and reputation, instead of on what you see in my heart. Help me be like David. Help me dance with abandon. Help me focus on you. Help me give you my best, my all. Because that is what you deserve. Amen.  

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

January 23, 2018

Tuesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 318

 

Reading 1 2 SM 6:12B-15, 17-19

David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom
into the City of David amid festivities.
As soon as the bearers of the ark of the LORD had advanced six steps,
he sacrificed an ox and a fatling.
Then David, girt with a linen apron,
came dancing before the LORD with abandon,
as he and all the house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD
with shouts of joy and to the sound of the horn.
The ark of the LORD was brought in and set in its place
within the tent David had pitched for it.
Then David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
When he finished making these offerings,
he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts.
He then distributed among all the people,
to each man and each woman in the entire multitude of Israel,
a loaf of bread, a cut of roast meat, and a raisin cake.
With this, all the people left for their homes.

Responsorial Psalm PS 24:7, 8, 9, 10

R. (8) Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Lift up, O gates, your lintels;
reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Who is this king of glory?
The LORD, strong and mighty,
the LORD, mighty in battle.
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Lift up, O gates, your lintels;
reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Who is this king of glory?
The LORD of hosts; he is the king of glory.
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!

Alleluia SEE MT 11:25

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MK 3:31-35

The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house.
Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him.
A crowd seated around him told him,
"Your mother and your brothers and your sisters
are outside asking for you."
But he said to them in reply,
"Who are my mother and my brothers?"
And looking around at those seated in the circle he said,
"Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of God
is my brother and sister and mother.