Tuesday of Week 2 in Ordinary Time
1 Sam 16:1-13
Mk 2:23-28
“God does not see as man sees…”
King Saul disobeyed God. He kept the spoils of war against the Amalekites instead of destroying everything that belonged to them. When confronted by Samuel, he tried to justify his actions instead of repenting. That was enough. God told Samuel to appoint another king from the sons of Jesse.
God said, “Do not choose (any of the sons) based on outward appearance as the Lord looks at the heart.” However, when David was chosen, the bible says that he was “glowing in health and had a fine appearance and handsome features” (1 Sam 16:12). That sounds like his appearance mattered, right? A contradiction perhaps? At this point, my wife walks into the room and I quote this verse. Like a messenger from God, she explains that only the best will be chosen to do his will. Therefore, David’s heart and physical attributes were perfect. My wife made good sense!
How we appear to others can be good or bad. Take today’s gospel reading. It was the Sabbath and Jesus and his disciples were walking through some grainfields. His disciples (not Jesus) began breaking off heads of grain to eat. To the Pharisees, this appeared as doing work. They confronted Jesus and accused him of breaking their Sabbath law with his disciples. I emphasise this point because no actual biblical laws were broken. In fact, Deuteronomy 23:25 allowed anyone, while walking through a grainfield, to use their hands (not a sickle) to pluck the heads of grain to eat. This action was like a blessing to the traveller in his journey from the owner of the field. It was also not prohibited on the Sabbath.
The Pharisees saw things differently. They created many religious rules which they imposed on the Jewish people. In one of these rules, plucking grain may be interpreted as work and therefore not allowed on the Sabbath. These rules were also more ‘important’ than scripture. As their hearts were already darkened by jealousy and hatred towards Jesus, there was little hesitation then to accuse him. What irony, as the Pharisees were imposing their authority over the Sabbath against Jesus, who was the true Lord of the Sabbath.
Brothers and sisters, we must follow God’s wisdom to look at our hearts whenever we do anything for God. I serve in the 7am choir at St Francis Xavier Church. Our choir, together with several friends, worked very hard to stage a Christmas concert on a Saturday night last year. The group had many talented musicians and vocalists on board. In many instances, having talent also means having ego and different opinions. By God’s grace, our group did not have this problem. Everyone was able to unite behind our choir mistress and leader. Following her leadership, we listened, and spent hours in practice and rehearsals. The result, according to many present, was an amazing concert that impressed everyone in the full auditorium. Our hearts were right and it showed in our performance.
I wrote this reflection on Christmas Eve. As I finished the last paragraph, my wife walked in again and quipped that like Samuel choosing David, she looked at my heart to say ‘yes’ when I asked her to marry me. However, unlike David, I did not have handsome features, but she gave me chance anyway. Maybe it’s because I bought her walking shoes this Christmas instead of a diamond ring!
(Today’s OXYGEN by Andrew Sia)
Prayer: Lord, help us follow your wisdom to examine our hearts and discern your will before we start any activity for you.
Thanksgiving: Thank you Lord, for giving us a new year in 2024. Let us use this year to do your will more and more.
OXYGEN 
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