2nd Week in Ord. Time, Thursday – 18th January 2024 — Gospel: Mark 3,7-12
Jealousy and Integrity in the Same Blood
In the first reading, we find David and Saul return after the great victory over Goliath, and David is taken to the palace. The women came out from all the cities singing and dancing and comparing both of their victories in numbers. This throws Saul into a jealous rage. King Saul doesn’t appreciate David for his great victory. The deepest desires of Saul’s wicked heart become clear in today’s reading. He discusses his intention of killing David with his son, Jonathan. Instead, Jonathan intercedes on David’s behalf because David developed friendship with Jonathan when he was in the court. Saul, then, is very much like King Herod, who did anything – including killing the members of his own family – to protect his kingship. Saul actually intended to kill David many times. Jealousy is a reaction to the position or possessions of someone else. It can stem from a feeling of being threatened by another person’s success. It is closely linked with one’s own insecurity and difficulty in accepting what one is. However, Jonathan’s behaviour is different here. He could have considered that David is a threat to his own expectations of succeeding his father. But Jonathan’s behaviour is both an indication of his integrity and love and respect for David. He told David about his father’s intentions and later boldly spoke to Saul on behalf of David. After all, David had done so much to protect Saul and the people by his exploits. Saul was won over and swore not to kill David, who was reinstated fully. However, Saul had made oaths in the past and not kept them.
