His Word Today: Darkness and light

Good morning everyone,

Today, we continue our reading of the first Book of Samuel, specifically the story of King David.  In this extract, we see the humanity of the King in its most raw state.  David has just returned from a victorious battle when a man appears ... with his clothes torn and dirt on his head (2 Sam 1:2).  It is obvious that this man must have been in a hurry to reach King David (because he had not even taken time to wash and to dress appropriately).  He went to David, fell on the ground in homage and David (who is understandably surprised) says to him: Where do you come from? (2 Sam 1:3).  The man goes on to explain that he has escaped from the Jewish camp and has come to tell David the bad news that many of the soldiers had fled and that many of them had died ... including David's friend Jonathan and his father Saul (cf 2 Sam 1:4).  David and all those who are with him are deeply grieved by the news.  In fact, they tear their garments as a sign of their grief (cf 2 Sam 1:11).

Anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one knows the darkness that invades the soul at the moment of such separation.  In fact, the closer we have been in this life, the more difficult it seems to hear such earth-shattering news.  There is a level at which those of us who are still living may indeed wish that we could join them in death because we cannot imagine life here on earth without them, but there is more to the story (and for this, we must look to the gospel).

Once again, Saint Mark tells us that Jesus came with his disciples into the house (cf Mk 3:20) and again the crowd gathered.  Ordinary onlookers could not understand why such crowds would gather where-ever Jesus was, but there are always people who are experiencing grief, there are always people who are doubting or questioning within themselves and Jesus is the only one who can bring the light that helps to dispel such darkness.  King David did not have the benefit of this light, but we do.  Let us never forget that we can always come to Jesus, we can always place our uncertainties before him and he will always take the time to help us find our way.

Have a great day.