In today’s readings, we catch a glimpse of God’s disappointment—disappointment that nevertheless does not lead Him to punish us or to be unmerciful. In today’s first reading from 1 Samuel 4:1–11, we read an episode where the Israelites are engaged in a multi-day war and battle with the Philistines, camped at Aphek. We are told that the Philistines defeated the Israelites and slew about four thousand men on the battlefield, and when the troops retired to the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why has the Lord permitted us to be defeated today by the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the Lord from Shiloh, that it may go into battle among us and save us from the grasp of our enemies” (1 Sam 4:3).
Immediately here, they are treating the Ark of the Covenant—the Ark of God, the tabernacle in which God said He would be present, so that He would govern, protect, and guide His people—as a kind of good-luck charm. And this is the key: God had seen their corruption, their lack of conversion, and yet they were turning to Him with superstition rather than repentance (cf. 1 Sam 4:3–4). The Philistines, on the other hand, when they heard the shouting of the Israelites, imagined that the God who freed them from Egypt had come into their midst and was about to lead Israel against them (cf. 1 Sam 4:7–8). In other words, the Philistines had more fear and reverence for the Lord of Israel than the Israelites themselves. We are told that the Philistines fought again, and Israel was defeated; every man fled to his own tent, and it was a disastrous defeat in which Israel lost thirty thousand foot soldiers. The Ark of God was captured, and Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were among the dead (cf. 1 Sam 4:10–11). God even allowed the Ark to be carried away, showing how deeply He loathes superficiality, indifference to sin, and complacency before the corruption that gnaws away at our souls.
This leads us to reflect on our own lives. How do I treat people? How do I treat God? Am I treating people as objects? Am I treating God as a good-luck charm, expecting Him to work wonders in my life while I continue in sin? In today’s Gospel, we are given another episode that almost suggests Jesus is used and then discarded. A leper comes to Him, kneels down, and begs Him, saying, “If You wish, You can make me clean” (Mk 1:40). Notice that the leper does not ask to know Jesus or to enter into a relationship with Him; he sees in Jesus a means to a personal end. And yet, knowing this, our Lord is moved with pity. He stretches out His hand, touches the leper, and says, “I do will it. Be made clean” (Mk 1:41). The leprosy leaves him immediately, and he is made clean. Jesus then warns him sternly, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them” (Mk 1:44). But the man disobeys, publicizes the whole matter, and spreads the report abroad (cf. Mk 1:45). Instead of thanking the Lord with obedience, he repays Him with disobedience.
How often do we do the same, my brothers and sisters? We have so much to thank God for, and yet we break His commands, disobey Him, and treat Him like an object rather than as our Lord and Father. One of the greatest regrets we will have is knowing that we could have done so much more and done things so much differently, yet we chose what was most comfortable and self-absorbed rather than Christ-centred (cf. Lk 9:23). Let us become more and more Christ-centred. Let us enthrone this God of the universe, who is our Father, ever more deeply in our hearts. Let us learn to respect and fear Him more—not a fear that drives us away, but a reverent fear rooted in love—remembering always that He is merciful, faithful, and loving forever. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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