THE ROYAL DANCE

Reflection for Tuesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time Year A

(2Sam 6:12-15, 17-19; Mk 3:31-35)

The Ark of God was being carried in procession from the House of Obed-Edom to Jerusalem, the City of David. The Ark represented God’s presence in their midst; a concrete mark and reminder of God’s covenant with Israel. David sacrificed ox and fatling along the way. And “David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was belted with a linen ephod.” The king put his royal pride aside and humbled himself before the Lord. The joy of being in God’s presence was so overwhelming that it flowed out freely within each dancing step of David. So the King expressed ‘total abandonment’ and appreciation to God who blessed the house of Obed-Edom, and established him as king in Jerusalem. “The humble shall eat and be satisfied. Those who seek God will praise Him; may your heart live forever” (Ps 22:26).

As they arrived at the tent, the joyous king offered burnt offerings, and he blessed the people in the name of the Lord. Then he distributed to the multitude that gathered bread, meat and cake of raisins. This was one of such moments David acted like a priest, and brought blessings to the people.

As we engage in contemplative beauty of David who brought the Ark to the Tent in Jerusalem, the Gospel of this Tuesday directs our gaze to Mary who went in search of Jesus to bring Him home to His family. Mary is rightfully called “The Ark of the Covenant” since Jesus who dwelt in her fulfilled the ‘contents’ of the Ark of old. “In this were kept the gold jar containing the manna, Aaron’s branch that grew the buds, and the tablets of the covenant” (Heb 9:4). The sacrifices of David and the bread he shared are fulfilled in the Eucharistic sacrifice of the Cross that has become the ‘Manna’ for the people of the new covenant. The beautiful and spirit filled dance of David before the Ark became a leap of joy in the womb of Elizabeth as Mary visited (Lk 1:44). And her flow of joy could not be restrained as she sang the magnificat...

 The universal Motherhood of Mary, the Ark of the Covenant, and the joy it brings is readily available to all gathered in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. How is this possible? And Jesus answered the man who brought the news to Him, “Here are my mother and my brethren! Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother.” Therefore, let us put aside our human inclinations and do that which pleases God in our every activity this day. Then we have been qualified like the Blessed Virgin Mary to bring Jesus ‘home.’ We have become one family with Him. Our dance of joy shall be royal, and our melodious voice shall echo His victory.

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria.

Tuesday 28^th Janauary, 2020.

Memorial of St Thomas Aquinas (The Angelic Doctor of the Church).

He Reigns

                 Reflection for Monday  of the Third Week in Ordinary Time Year A

                                               (2Sam 5:1-5, 10; Mk 3:22-30)

The stage is set for David to be King. Saul fought a lost battle because what God has sanctioned must be fulfilled. So all the tribes of Israel approached David at Hebron and made him king. “David was 30 years of age when he began to reign, and he reigned for 40 years.” He ruled from Hebron for  seven years and six months, then he went up to Jerusalem where he ruled for thirty-three years. From there he conquered the enemies of Israel, the Jebusites, and made Jerusalem secure. The Lord made David greater and greater...

As David went up to Jerusalem to establish a dynasty,  so Jesus would go up to Jerusalem to save us. But in the Gospel of today, some Scribes came down from Jerusalem to castigate Jesus. “He is possesses by Beelzebul, and by the Prince of demons he casts out Satan.” Their plan was to disrupt the mission of Jesus Christ by trying to convince the people not to submit to Him. “Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut up the Kingdom of Heaven in people's faces, neither going in yourselves nor allowing others to go in who want to” (Mt 23:13). 

As the elders of Israel recognised the anointing of God on David and made him their king, these hypocritical Scribes, who recognised the power of God Jesus demonstrated, gave a false and conflicting testimony, deliberately orchestrated to deceive others. This sort of evil behaviour can lead to eternal damnation. It will turn out to be another lost battle, such as the one Saul fought against David in order to prevent his kingship. 

Jesus is the real ‘Strongman’ who subdues and plunders every opposing authority, and binds every evil force. So we gather around Him at this Eucharistic celebration that He may reign over us, and keep us secure. From His heavenly Jerusalem He sends forth this grace, that we too will reign with Him.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 

Tedi-Muwo,  Ojo, Lagos.

Monday 27th January, 2020.