Wednesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Foreword: During Ordinary Time, the entrance and communion antiphons of the Sunday liturgy are repeated throughout the week. In this way, the themes developed at the Sunday mass are enriched and expanded as they interact with the different readings found on each day of the following week in much the same way that a kaleidoscope presents a constantly changing view of colors, forms and designs.
In the first reading at the Eucharist today, we hear the well-known story of David slaying the arrogant, Philistine warrior Goliath with a single pebble (1 Sm 17:32-33, 37, 40-51). It is not so much an account of David’s skill and bravery as it is a witness to the power of God who gave strength to his chosen one. In this context, the entrance antiphon becomes a victorious song of praise: “All the earth [including the Philistines] shall bow down before you O God, and shall sing to you, shall sing to your name, O Most High!” (Ps 66:4). This is further developed in the responsorial psalm (Ps 144:1), which is something of a play of words on the stone that killed Goliath: “Blessed be the Lord, my rock…my stronghold, my deliverer.”
The Gospel from Mark 3:1-6 tells of yet another kind of victory. Jesus cures the man with the withered hand on a Sabbath in spite of the Pharisees’ complaint that it is unlawful to do so. As in yesterday’s Gospel, Jesus, the “lord of the Sabbath” counters with the argument that love and compassion are ultimately more important than legal codes. This divine charity resounds in the profoundly beautiful communion text: “We have come to know and to believe in the love that God has for us” (1 Jn 4:16).
Prayer for Today: O God, my strength and deliverer, help me to conquer the forces of evil which threaten my soul and assist me in always doing for others, the loving deed.
Reflection by Br. Michael Marcotte, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections