"FOLLOW ME"

Reflection for Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time Year A

(1Sam 9:1-4, 17-19; Mk 2:13-17)

For the first time, a king is anointed for Israel. This was in attempt to separate religion from secular society. The king would take charge of the ordinary life of the people. Because Israel is God's chosen people, they could not completely separate government from religion. Unlike other nations, their king must be approved by God through the High Priest. And Saul son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin was chosen. 

His qualities were excellent. Physically he was tall and handsome. So he could be empowered to overlook the people and protect them. He was humble , obedient and committed to duty as he travelled round the towns and villages looking for his father's donkey. These virtues already inclined him for the task ahead. Unknown to Saul, he had been destined to be the first king of Israel. Samuel took a vial of oil and poured it on his head and anointed him king. 

From the experience of Saul, it appears God calls busy people. He has a way of ‘exhuming’ us from our ordinary life commitment to a glorious task. So while Levi the son of Alphaeus was busy tabulating taxes, Jesus called him, “Follow me.” He responded immediately and took the bold step. His gain at the tax office became his loss for the Kingdom of God. He exchanged the status of affluence with that of a penitent! He walked out of the security of a financial house into the vulnerability of a disciple. Still he was happier, and the celebration began...

We are all endowed with physical and morale capabilities. These can be channelled to the pursuit of good worldly gain, just as Saul was moving around looking for donkey. It can be committed to sinful use, like the corrupt tax collector. In any case, a touch of divine grace transforms our ‘busy-ness’ into a righteousness of God’s kingdom. Thus our energy is purified, and exhumed from worldly attachment, and set free to bear fruit for the Kingdom. Sin adds burden to our labour, making us slaves to the things we ought to enjoy. Thanks be to Jesus who calls us out of sin. Now in Christ Jesus our joy out shines our labour! Jesus calls us to repentance. As we follow Him, the old ways and its pursuit must give way to a new life in Christ Jesus, bearing fruits of righteousness. 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu,  C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Saturday 18th January, 2020.