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| David and two musicians, and with Goliath. |
-Brian Mendonca
In the Gospel reading of today, we see that Saul is jealous of David and desires to kill him. (1 Samuel 18-19) He is incensed by the refrain of the women of the cities of Israel as they sing of David's exploits: 'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.' His nerves are tautened by the music of tambourines and sistrums.
Saul was the first king of Israel and reigned in the 11th century BCE. Yet he felt inadequate in front of the younger David who was sent by God.
This is a far cry from the reading yesterday when David tasted victory after vanquishing Goliath.
In fact, it is his prowess in the showdown that makes Saul envy David's moment of glory. Little did an innocent David know that his very act of offering himself as armour bearer against the Philistine, Goliath would be the cause of his undoing.
Indeed, the machinations of the mind are difficult to fathom. The same act brings glory as well as retribution to David.
Yet David finds an unlikely friend in Saul's son Jonathan. Jonathan warns David of his father's designs and seeks to make peace between them.
Reflection
How often have we done exceptionally at work only to receive a cold response? Yet one must be undaunted. Jesus in a recent reading is chastised because he healed a cripple on the Sabbath. Yet He knows that this is what He has been sent for. He places empathy before custom. And for this the Pharisees seek ways to kill him. That is the way of the world.
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