Unfair

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/012116.cfm) reminds me that the world is unfair.

They say that life is unfair. The world is unfair. There are a lot of good and innocent people who dying and suffering, while a lot of bad and evil people prosper. We should remember that the enemy is the ruler of the world, and it will always be unfair to those not of it, to those belonging to Christ. We see that in the reading.

David did God's work and was successful. However, envy wrapped Saul's heart and instead of being happy with what God did through David, he focused on himself and how other people see him. He valued his reputation so much that he wanted to kill David to get the attention all to himself. How unfair, for David was just doing what was asked of Him.

Though the world may be unfair, God is fair.

God used Jonathan to bring Saul to his senses. And eventually David's life was spared. God is fair and faithful to those who trust in him. He takes care of those who love him. We just need to be faithful and trust in Him.

There are times that we feel like David. We feel we are at a disadvantage. We feel the world is so unfair, especially because we are trying to do good and live right. We feel that people are against us - powerful people that we cannot do anything anymore. Times like these, we should be like David. Yes, we cannot do anything but pray and trust in God. And as we do so, as we are limited by our own means, God will work and do for us what we cannot do.

May we be inspired that though life is unfair, God is always watching over us and he is fair.

 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, a lot of times I feel like David. A lot of times I feel the world is unfair, that I am at a disadvantage. But I will do what David did and just trust you. I just lift up all the pain, hurt, and all I am feeling and ask that you continue to take care if me. I trust you for I know you are fair and generous. Amen.

Blessed day!

 

In Christ,

-g-

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January 21, 2016

Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr
Lectionary: 314

 

Reading 1 1 Sm 18:6-9; 19:1-7

 

When David and Saul approached
(on David’s return after slaying the Philistine),
women came out from each of the cities of Israel to meet King Saul,
singing and dancing, with tambourines, joyful songs, and sistrums.
The women played and sang:

“Saul has slain his thousands,
and David his ten thousands.”

Saul was very angry and resentful of the song, for he thought:
“They give David ten thousands, but only thousands to me.
All that remains for him is the kingship.”
And from that day on, Saul was jealous of David.

Saul discussed his intention of killing David
with his son Jonathan and with all his servants.
But Saul’s son Jonathan, who was very fond of David, told him:
“My father Saul is trying to kill you.
Therefore, please be on your guard tomorrow morning;
get out of sight and remain in hiding.
I, however, will go out and stand beside my father
in the countryside where you are, and will speak to him about you.
If I learn anything, I will let you know.”

Jonathan then spoke well of David to his father Saul, saying to him:
“Let not your majesty sin against his servant David,
for he has committed no offense against you,
but has helped you very much by his deeds.
When he took his life in his hands and slew the Philistine,
and the LORD brought about a great victory
for all Israel through him,
you were glad to see it.
Why, then, should you become guilty of shedding innocent blood
by killing David without cause?”
Saul heeded Jonathan’s plea and swore,
“As the LORD lives, he shall not be killed.”
So Jonathan summoned David and repeated the whole conversation to him.
Jonathan then brought David to Saul, and David served him as before.

 

Responsorial Psalm PS 56:2-3, 9-10a, 10b-11, 12-13

 

R. (5b) In God I trust; I shall not fear.
Have mercy on me, O God, for men trample upon me;
all the day they press their attack against me.
My adversaries trample upon me all the day;
yes, many fight against me.
R. In God I trust; I shall not fear.
My wanderings you have counted;
my tears are stored in your flask;
are they not recorded in your book?
Then do my enemies turn back,
when I call upon you.
R. In God I trust; I shall not fear.
Now I know that God is with me.
In God, in whose promise I glory,
in God I trust without fear;
what can flesh do against me?
R. In God I trust; I shall not fear.
I am bound, O God, by vows to you;
your thank offerings I will fulfill.
For you have rescued me from death,
my feet, too, from stumbling;
that I may walk before God in the light of the living.
R. In God I trust; I shall not fear.

 

Alleluia See 2 Tm 1:10

 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

Gospel Mk 3:7-12

 

Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples.
A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea.
Hearing what he was doing,
a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem,
from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan,
and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon.
He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd,
so that they would not crush him.
He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases
were pressing upon him to touch him.
And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him
and shout, “You are the Son of God.”
He warned them sternly not to make him known.