DAILY HOMILIES

Once again, we learn that not all battles require physical fighting. There is nothing wrong with being security-conscious (or putting systems in place to protect oneself); we must not forget to add God to our security checklist by being on good terms with Him. Physical weapons are required for protection, but they are not enough.

Saul and David offended God, but the difference is that while Saul tried to justify himself (give excuses for his disobedience), David wept profusely. David got a second chance at the throne, but Saul never did. It is bad to fall into sin, but it is even worse when you refuse to admit your fault or beg for mercy.

To assume that everyone you see well-dressed and sitting calmly in the Church is perfect and holy is to forget that Jesus said: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 7:21). Demonic possession does not show in a person’s face but as Jesus said: “You will know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16).

Like David, we take the moral high ground when we hear of others’ faults without realising we are attempting to fight the same demon we possess. When David heard Nathan’s story, he was furious and proclaimed death on the culprit; little did he know that he had just passed judgment on himself.

ust as a single candle is never intimated by the darkness of an entire room, “No gree for anybody” means that we must never be intimated into sinning (even if this entails suffering). Some Christians are so timid of proclaiming their faith in public. Who says we have to blend in with the culture of immorality?

The day you can handle a microphone and confess your sins in public (as St. Paul did in today’s first reading) is the day you will be free. As long as we keep pretending to be saints in public while indulging in evil behind closed doors, repentance continues to elude us.

Giving to God expresses your faith. If your faith is large enough to acknowledge that everything you have comes from God, then like seeds sown in good soil, you would easily consider doing something to appreciate God.

David’s dance is similar to the dance of little children when their parents arrive from work or on a journey. David danced out of excitement because he knew that God’s blessings would come upon Israel with the Ark in its rightful place.

To succeed, you must be connected to a Divine Source of energy. Our first reading today concludes with this statement: “And David became greater and greater, for the Lord, the God of hosts, was with him.”

Jesus says: “Follow Me.” Follow me, and I will take care of you; follow me, and I will make you fishers of men; follow me, and I will take you to a higher level of prosperity and success; follow you, and I will give you true peace. Follow me, and your life will never remain the same again.

Blessed Tansi was often accused of taking his Christian faith too seriously. He lived this vocation at the abbey for 14 years. Father Tansi used to say: “If you are going to be a Christian at all, you might as well live entirely for God”.

Sometimes God tests us by putting our enemies in our hands. Revenge is not as sweet and glamorous as we see in the movies; killing your enemies makes no sense because it will not restore what they have taken away from you. If you treat your enemies the same way they treated you, it means you would have done worse if you were in their shoes