Week 3 of Ordinary Time, Saturday – 27th January 2024 – 2 Sam 12,1-7.10-17; Mark 4,35-41
Condemning Others Mistakes
Today’s first reading presents to us the consequences of the terrible crimes of infidelity, deceit and murder that David committed when he had Uriah killed in order to have Bathsheba as his own. He thought he would escape notice or punishment when he must have silenced his inner voice, but he was deeply mistaken. Sometimes it takes a parable or story of other circumstances to confront an individual with the truth. Only when Nathan confronts him, does David realize the gravity of his sins. As Nathan relates the account of the wealthy and powerful individual taking advantage of his lowly neighbour, David sees the evil in the act performed. David condemns the person who would perpetrate such an act. Yet, it is not until Nathan points out that David himself is the sinner. In this encounter between Nathan and David, we find the most obvious human weakness: Easy to judge the mistake of others. Difficult to recognize one’s own. The sharpest critics and those most known for pointing out flaws or weaknesses in others, are most often the ones who are blind to their own shortcomings, insecurities and mistakes.
