The portion of the second Book of Kings that is prescribed for today's liturgy (2 Kings 11:1-4, 9-18, 20) describes yet another episode of competition and fighting for places of prestige and honour among those who are our ancestors in faith. People went to great extents to overthrow the leaders of their time, and equally cunning measures were also called for in order to safeguard the rightful claimants to those places of respect, even to the point of hiding infant children within the walls of the Lord's temple (cf 2 Kings 11:1-3).
Once again, these chapters, which form a part of the living history that we continue today, are meant to remind us of the great lengths to which people have been willing to go in order to protect the treasure that has been entrusted to us ... and this is the same for us today. We who have discovered the treasure of our faith, and who come to recognize it day after day in the relationship of love that Jesus invites us to realize, are indeed privileged.
Like the saints who are recognized throughout history, and like the holy people who we all have known, we too are called to continue the living tradition of faith that has been passed on to us. It is a precious tapestry woven out of the experiences of others, bound together by the love that we have heard about in the scriptures and come to experience in our own lives. Give thanks today for the precious treasure of our faith, and pray for the courage to be a willing example of faith for others.
Have a great day.
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