Staying at the Feet of the Lord

Reflection at Mass:

Thursday 26^th, January, 2012

2 Sam 7:18-19, 24-29; Ps 132:1-6; Mark 4:21-25

By  Joshua  Mege

“You have established for yourself your people Israel as yours forever, and you, Lord, have become their God.”

[2 Sam 7:24].

Among David’s achievements and great contributions to Israel was to ensure her peace and to root her in God. This is vividly manifested in his defeat over Israelites’ enemies and the recovery of the Ark of the Covenant from captivity (bringing it into the capital city in a joyous procession).

David’s achievements before the Lord earn him God’s promises to establish for him a house that would endure forever. In response, David immediately went and sat in God’s presence; thanking Him and acknowledging his own unworthiness. He refuses to take credit for his victories and strength. Instead, David attributes all his talents and accomplishments to God and for God’s glory, namely, to build a strong kingdom of God, Israel, now and the hereafter inheritance.

The prophecy to David is the basis for the Jewish expectation of a Messiah, son of David, which Jesus Christ fulfilled in a more transcendent way [cf. Acts 2:30, Heb 1:5]. Jesus’ parables likened the kingdom of God (our true inheritance) to every day activities. His hearers’ hearts, so deeply touched, longed to stay with Him a little longer and asked him to teach them more (on the parables) [Mk 4:10-11]. Everyday Jesus wants to continue to teach us (in the scriptures and while pondering his precepts).

Those who spend more time at Jesus’ feet experience more and are better equipped to follow him. David stayed at the Lord’s presence and gained a lot of wisdom to guide the people of God Israel in the ways of life.  Sts. Timothy and Titus too, close collaborators of St. Paul, are our models today. By word and example they laboured in establishing and strengthening Christian communities.

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;

The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;

The precepts of the lord are right, rejoice the heart;

The command of the Lord is pure enlightening the eyes.

(Ps 19:7-8)

Let us ask God for more, every time, by setting aside time at the feet of the Lord, to listen to him in his word and pondering his precepts. In so doing, we are constantly knocking on the door of heaven; and God has promised He will always answer us (Matt. 7:7-8).

“The measure you give will be the measure you get... and still more will be given you. To the one who has, more will be given; for the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away”

(Mk 4:24-25).