Homily: Fourth Tuesday of Ordinary Time

Fourth Tuesday of Ordinary Time (2nd Samuel 18:9ff) “Quarrels We Can’t Mend”

In the later days of David’s reign there was a lot of parish intrigue. The story sounds like a Shakespearean tragedy. David had many wives and children. His sons fought among themselves. All of them wanted the throne of their father.

Absalom was one of these wayward sons. He was the favorite son of David, but the love and loyalty were not reciprocated. Absalom got in a fight with his older brother and killed him. After that he fled the court for three years. Finally, he returned.

The rest of his siblings fled because Absalom was next in line for the throne, and they feared him. He seemed willing to destroy anyone who got in his way.

David was a man who often let his heart lead him. He loved his son, and it seems like he was willing to overlook his sin. Maybe he saw a lot of himself in Absalon. David was an ambitious man himself.

Absalom left court. He gathered an arm to overthrow King David. David fled Jerusalem as Absalom arrived. Maybe David could not believe that his son would want to depose him. Absalom captured Jerusalem. He then seemed to hesitate for a time. This gave David time to gather his own army.

A great battle ensued. Absalom was killed as is described in the scriptures. David is overcome with grief. He did not want his son to die. He wanted to achieve reconciliation.

David’s lament is like a lot of people’s regrets. It is nice to be able to mend all quarrels before our life is over but probably this will not be possible. At times we must leave things in the hands of the Lord who can heal the arguments that we cannot. David learned to believe this. We hear that at the end of his life. He felt he was at peace with all his enemies.

1.    Do I have a quarrel I wish I could end? Who is it with?

2.   Do I believe that God can bring healing when I can’t? What broken relationship do I need to entrust to the Lord?

 Dear Parishioners,

             This Friday is the Feast of the Presentation. It will be forty days after Christmas. At 6:30 and 8:00 a.m. Masses we will take time to bless the candles that we will use during the church year for our worship.

            We remember the light of Christ has come into the world. As we march with candles into the church, we dispel the darkness of unbelief that is a shroud over the world.

            May Our Lady walk with us today,

            Fr. Mark