Tuesday, January 16, 2018

2nd Week, Ordinary Time, Wednesday, 17-01-18

1 Sam 17:32-33, 37, 40-51 / Mark 3:1-6

Does size really matter? On the one hand, of course size matters. Who wants a small cup of coffee? Yes, in those kind of things, size matters.

On the other hand, if size really mattered, then the elephant would be the king of the jungle, not the lion.

In the 1st reading, we hear of Goliath, the champion of the Philistines, a huge man, much bigger and taller than the ordinary man, maybe about 9 feet tall. 

Regardless of his precise height, he was a formidable opponent. He was not only tall, he was also strong. His bronze armour alone weighed 125 pounds (1 Samuel 17:5), and he carried a giant-sized spear (verse 7).

But with a sling and a stone, David brought down the mighty Goliath. Maybe it was David's courage, maybe his skill with the sling, but it was certainly "in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel".

So as much as size matters, in the case of David and Goliath, it was the size of the heart that mattered. and, of course who was directing the heart.

In the gospel, there were no giants with spears and swords to deal with. But Jesus had to deal with something more malicious - there were people watching Him to see if He would cure on the sabbath.

Jesus didn't give in to their small minds and small hearts, because their small minds and small hearts just have no space for the greatness and the goodness of Jesus.

So let us look into our hearts to see if our hearts can be opened to the greatness and goodness of God.

Let us keep our hearts big for God and for others. And when small minds and small hearts confront us, let us call up the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of heaven, so that we can bear witness to how great and good God is.