Consequences of our Actions

Jan. 20: Saturday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

Today is the feast of St. Fabian. He became pope in 236, after a series of persecutions. As a former nobleman, he was able to secure better relations with the government for over a decade. Until Emperor Decius ascended the throne and martyred him, which happened a lot back then.

But the craziest thing in his life was how he became pope. Church officials and noblemen were gathered for a papal election. As Eusebius of Caesarea wrote in 4th century book Church History, “Although present, Fabian was in the mind of none.”

During the proceedings a dove flew down and alighted upon Fabian, “resembling the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Savior.” Immediately the entire throng of people, “as if moved by one divine Spirit, with all eagerness and unanimity cried out that he was worthy, and without delay they took him and placed him upon the episcopal seat.”

So, as we enter our election year here in America, remember there are other ways to pick our leaders.

Reading 1

2 Sm 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27

David returned from his defeat of the Amalekites and spent two days in Ziklag. On the third day a man came from Saul’s camp, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. Going to David, he fell to the ground in homage. David asked him, “Where do you come from?”

He replied, “I have escaped from the camp of the children of Israel.”

“Tell me what happened,” David bade him. He answered that many of the soldiers had fled the battle and that many of them had fallen and were dead, among them Saul and his son Jonathan.

David seized his garments and rent them, and all the men who were with him did likewise. They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the soldiers of the LORD of the clans of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.

“Alas! the glory of Israel, Saul, slain upon your heights; how can the warriors have fallen!

“Saul and Jonathan, beloved and cherished, separated neither in life nor in death, swifter than eagles, stronger than lions! Women of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet and in finery, who decked your attire with ornaments of gold.

“How can the warriors have fallen–in the thick of the battle, slain upon your heights!

“I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother! most dear have you been to me; more precious have I held love for you than love for women.

“How can the warriors have fallen, the weapons of war have perished!”

Recall that earlier this week, we read that Saul didn’t wipe out the Amalekites, as he was clearly instructed. Now, that very same nation has risen up and killed him, along with much of his army.

It’s easy to say Saul deserved what he got. But remember Jonathan? Saul’s son, who convinced him not to kill David on Thursday? He didn’t do anything wrong.

Saul’s actions had consequences beyond himself. The deaths of hundreds, even thousands, including his own son, came about because he didn’t do what God commanded him to do.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 80:2-3, 5-7

R. Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
O guide of the flock of Joseph!
From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth
before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
Rouse your power,
and come to save us.
R. Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.
O LORD of hosts, how long will you burn with anger
while your people pray?
You have fed them with the bread of tears
and given them tears to drink in ample measure.
You have left us to be fought over by our neighbors,
and our enemies mock us.
R. Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.

This is another community lament in time of military defeat. Sometimes, we cry to God, and ask why He’s angry with us. Very often, it’s our own fault, just like with Saul.

While we reflect on that, we can still ask God for salvation. No matter what, He still loves us. Just like we don’t understand why we’re experiences defeat now, we likely won’t know when or how our rescue will come, either.

Alleluia

See Acts 16:14b

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Open our hearts, O Lord,
to listen to the words of your Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Interestingly, this is about a woman mentioned in Acts who believed in Jesus and the Jewish God, but wasn’t Jewish herself. Because Jesus brings his message to the whole Earth, not just Israel.

Gospel 

Mk 3:20-21

Jesus came with his disciples into the house. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, "He is out of his mind."

This continues the running theme of the week: Jesus can’t get a moment alone. He can’t sleep, He can’t even eat. Give the guy a break!

People are following Him from all over, yet the people He grew up with, His relatives and hometown friends, think He is out of his mind, crazy. But do they really think that? Or is it just that they can’t accept hometown boy makes good?

Worse still, the story ends on a cliffhanger, which won’t be resolved until Monday!