Wednesday 22 January 2014 1 Sam 17:32-37, 40-51; Mk 3:1-6 THEME: The making of a spiritual legend: the Goliath story All through the centuries, David’s challenge to Goliath has delighted the Israelites as much as it delights us today. Unsurprisingly, redactors have attempted to put unnecessary gloss over this encounter (for comparison, see 2 Sam 21:19). However, there is no room for mistake or distortions in the account rendered in 1 Sam 17:32-37. Those who wrote the story were inspired by God because they clearly understood that David’s struggle with Goliath symbolises the struggle between ‘good’ and ‘evil.’ Try to reflect on the significance of David’s statement: “You have come against me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come against you with Yahweh.” These are philosophic as well as deeply spiritual words. They tell us that in the world, victory will not come to those who are stronger or more heavily armed. Such people merely insult God by their pride and self-confidence. Victory rather belongs to the weak; those who are marginalised and abandoned; those who trust in God’s help. Note how some soldiers tried to persuade David to protect himself with Saul’s armour and arms. David, however, understood that if he used arms similar to those of the Philistine, he would not know how to use them and Goliath would prevail over him. This is exactly the case when family, friends, and neighbours try to persuade us to rely on wealth and social connections rather than trust in God. The Goliath story is an invaluable spiritual legend because it pre-figures Christ’s victory on the Cross. The Philistines oppressed Israel until David slew Goliath. Evil oppressed humanity until Christ conquered it at Calvary. Today, weeping may seem to last for the night; but joy comes in the morning. David’s fight can, thus, easily be compared to the fight of the Church and Christians with the world. The Church leaves behind Saul’s armour when she worries less over massive structures, fundraising, and political support. By abandoning these securities, she would make herself as free, vibrant, and trustful as David. Like David, she would then go to battle trusting “in the name of Yahweh, the God of the armies of Israel.” In the same way, Christians leave behind Saul’s armour when they abandon their unbridled quest for miracles, material things, and prophetic assurance over the future. As we reflect on the Goliath story, let us pray for divine grace to repose absolute trust in God. May He answer us and help us slay every Goliath in our life, through Christ our Lord, Amen!
Posted on: Tue, 21 Jan 2014 22:00:00 +0000
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