Daily HOMILY for February 3, 2014: Monday of the 4th 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/

Monday 4^th Week OT

St. Luke’s Institute

February 3, 2014

DAVID & ALL EMOTIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  In readings from Samuel, see David in every possible situation & w/ every emotional reaction

Ø  His varied emotions R something we identify with

DAVID NEGATIVE àPOSITIVE ++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Today, as son Absalom tries 2 take over throne, David & his men flee

Ø  Interesting, that as an old enemy gloats over David’s lot, king takes it as only appropriate

Ø  “Perhaps Lord won’t look upon my affliction & make it up 2 me w/ benefits 4 curses he’s uttering this day”

Ø  We know enough about David not to take him as picture of virtue & source of all wisdom, ss does give him some memorable lines

ME NEGATIVE àPOSITIVE ++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  What I take from these accounts of David is good & bad alternate in any human life, including my own

Ø  Joy & pain seem 2 balance out over course of months & years

Ø  There is as Ecclesiastes says, “an appointed time for everything, a time to weep & a time 2 laugh, a time of war & a time of peace”

Ø  Poet Robert Southwell writes in a poem entitled “Time Goes by Turns”:

Ø  Not always fall of leaf nor ever spring,

Ø  No endless night yet not eternal day;

Ø  The saddest birds a season find to sing,

Ø  The roughest storm a calm may soon allay:

Ø  Thus with succeeding turns God tempereth all,

Ø  That man [we] may hope to rise, yet fear to fall.  

THERE IS HOPE ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  4 us who trust in Presence & know help of Lord J in times past, there’s always hope that dark day or period of our life will eventually B brightened by signs of G’s love

Ø  That resurrection will follow on R suffering & death

Ø  Often we find that just allowing passage of some time gives us better perspective on today’s worries or allows G 2 do us good

Ø  Like man in Gospel, we’ve seen this happen enough 2 have reason “2 proclaim what Jesus’ done 4 us.”

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