Daily HOMILY for February 1, 2014: Saturday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

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In 2014, I am facilitating a 12-week interactive online course in contemplative prayer and action for priests with Saint Luke Institute.  Please visit SLIconnect.org to learn more:  https://www.sliconnect.org/product/living-god-program-contemplative-life-2/

Saturday 3^rd Week OT

Church of the Resurrection Day of Recollection

February 1, 2014

CHARACTERS FOR TRANSFORMATION +++++++++++++

Ø  A very effective exercise I offer some of those who come to me for spiritual direction…

Ø  Is to ask them what figure in Old or New Testament do they associate themselves with most

Ø  Invite then them to read a pertinent passage, take two words from the passage that shimmer for them…

Ø  And go into prayer for 10 or 20 minutes

Ø  Coming out of the silence, I suggest that they reflect on the experience and then make an intention to act on in light of that prayerful experience

DAVID +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  David in the 1^st reading has been such a character for me

Ø  He’s specially selected, dances before the Ark, escapes Saul’s envy, is generous toward Saul, befriends Jonathan, kills the enemy Goliath, has an affair with Bathsheba, has her husband Uriah murdered, and God has great plans for his descendants – all in 2 Samuel!

Ø  Yet with all that, he’s a central figure in SS & Jesus is often depicted as the new David

Ø  But who is the real David?

Ø  The real David is the one that thru it all + & - he retains his faith, he’s aware of dependence on God

Ø  He knows he’s in G’s hands & is accountable to God

Ø  Thus he praises G, petitions G, and asks forgiveness

APPLICATION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Perhaps his sins and virtues are oversized pictures of what goes on in most of us, a mixture of good and bad accomplishments & embarrassing & even shameful failures

Ø  Much of the revelation we have received in Jesus tells us that God will not break or forget the covenant and that we are justified in trusting God

Ø  And this, no matter what the storms or devastation surrounding us, either of our own making or the making of others

CONCLUSION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Identification, reading a section of text, words that shimmer, sitting-in-silence, reflection, & intention

Ø  It’s a way for scripture characters to come alive and to receive the grace the characters received, but for our own transformation

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++