“Choosing to ‘make life better’ despite the ‘bitterness that seeks to snare us!'”

(Based on 2 Sam 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27 and Mk 3:20-21 – Saturday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A motivational speaker while addressing the fact of facing difficulties in life, said: “Life always presents to us situations of strife and struggle!
It’s left to us, how we act to it

We can either react negatively and become bitter…
… or we can respond positively and become better!
>> Struggles can make us bitter or better!

What is our response when we face the challenges of life
>> Do we become bitter?
… or can we become better?”


As people of faith, we are called to always “be better” and respond to situations…
… with genuine care and affection
… with passionate and uncompromising commitment

This is what we learn from the Biblical passages for the day
>> David, who responds to the death of Saul – supposedly an enemy…
… with intense pain and grief – a sign of genuine care and affection!
… >> Jesus, who faces the “ire of close people” including his relatives…
… due to His passionate and uncompromising commitment to the Kingdom!


The passage from 2 Samuel 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27 begins with David receiving the news of Saul and Jonathan’s death…
… prompting profound grief and intense pain!
>> “Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them; and all the men who were with him… they mourned and wept, and fasted until evening…” (Cf. 2 Sam 1:11-12).


Here are three important Divine Learnings we need to adopt, witnessing the deep grief that David expresses over the death – especially that of Saul.

1. Respond to “jealousy and enmity” with care
Despite the historical enmity between them, David’s emotional response reflects a profound sense of care and compassion for Saul.
>> Are we able to display the “face of care” even when faced with people who are jealous and hostile?

2. Acknowledgment of God’s Anointing
David’s lamentation reflects his reverence for Divine appointments and his respect for the choices of God. He acknowledges that “Saul is God’s anointed” and bestows his highest respect for Divine authority
>> Are we able to “accept the Lord’s anointed ones” and strengthen them with our prayers and cares, despite their failures, owing to human weaknesses and frailties?

3. Rising above personal grievances, and mirroring God’s view of relationships
Instead of celebrating Saul’s downfall, David mourns…
… illustrating a noble and forgiving spirit that transcends the animosity of the past.

It highlights the fact that even amid conflicting situations, “forgiveness that flows from the heart of God” can be a soothing antidote!
>> Are we able to rise above our personal feelings, and extend God’s unconditional forgiveness to the ones who have hurt us?


The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus labelled as being “out of mind!”
>> “Again the crowds gathered, making it impossible for them, even to eat.
When His relatives heard of this, they set out to seize Him, for they said, ‘He is out of His mind'” (Mk 3: 20-21)

Jesus faces situations that can cause Him to “become bitter!”
>> But He remains undeterred and continues to walk the paths that showed Him to “be better”

He continued to preach and proclaim the Kingdom of Love and Mercy…
· Broken lives were mended by the balm of His Holiness
· Ruined minds were revived by the power of His teachings
· Shattered destinies were made whole by the cure of His touch
· Hardened hearts were touched by the softness of His presence
· Ruptured consciences were restored by the gentleness of His love


In situations of strife and struggle, we can either react negatively and become bitter…
… or we can respond positively and become better!
>> David did not allow himself to “get bitter” despite the death of his enemy!
>> Jesus did not allow Himself to “get bitter” despite the accusations of so many!

Instead, both responded “to make life better!”


Let us dare to walk and live the path of the Lord, Who chose to “make life better” despite the “bitterness that surrounded Him!”
>> Let us learn from the example of David, who chose to “make life better” despite the “bitterness that sought to snare him!”


Strife and struggles will always ensnare us
>> Are we going to be bitter…
… or can we be better?


God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – THE GRAVITY OF SIN: MORTAL AND VENIAL SIN
>> One commits venial sin when, in a less serious matter…
… he does not observe the standard prescribed by the moral law
… or when he disobeys the moral law in a grave matter, but without full knowledge or without complete consent. (CCC # 1862)
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