4th Week of OT 2018 - Thursday - David's Deathbed: Success depends on obedience to God

In the first and second books of Samuel, we read the story of Israel’s formation as a kingdom, and how that formation is riddled with problems: enemy attacks and corrupt political leaders.
We saw the people of Israel calling for a king, not because they wanted to be nearer to God, but because they wanted to be like the rest of the nations. Time and time again in the scripture, Israel suffers when she forgets who she is called to be, a people set apart.

Because of her secularization, prosperity and peace are more the exception than the rule.  This hearkens back to Adam and Eve being expelled from the garden of Eden. You can’t have the peace of Eden, when disobedience reigns.

Particularly, we saw how the personal sins of the leaders produce terrible national tragedy, the sins of the leaders, their negligence, ignorance or hard-heartedness toward the law of God have devastating consequences for the nation.

So, on his death bed, King David turns to his son Solomon, and reminds him of the importance of keeping the divine law. The success of the rule of the Davidic kings depends on their obedience to the law of God, so Solomon must focus not simply on earthly matters, but on his moral and spiritual responsibilities to Israel. You’ll notice the Pope’s prayer intention for the month of February focuses on the need for those with power to resist the lure of corruption.

In these next two weeks before Lent, we’ll read in the first book of Kings how it started off so well. Following David’s death, Israel experienced a sort of Golden Age. The Temple will be constructed and Solomon’s wisdom becomes known throughout the world.

And these are great readings to prepare us for Lent, because we’ll see what happens when sin begins to creep in again: how sin almost undetectable at first, trickles in through the cracks, and how it soon becomes a devastating flood. Lent certainly helps us become aware and patch some of those cracks.
Trusting God, obeying God is also at the heart of the mission the Lord gives to the Twelve in the Gospel today.

In our own exercise of power, as parents or grandparents or employers or religious examples, may we remember the words of David to Solomon, that success depends on obedience to God, that we are to trust God, even when he sends us into unknown territory, and use the time, talent, and treasure we have been given for God’s will over our own, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
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For the Holy Father’s prayer intention for the month of February, that those who have material, political or spiritual power may resist any lure of corruption.

During this Catholic Schools Week, we continue to pray for all students, for their openness to knowledge, wisdom, and understanding, and for their teachers ability to educate.

For parents, the first teachers of their children, and for a strengthening of all families in faith.  We pray to the Lord.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord

Homily: Sept 15 2016 - Our Lady of Sorrows - Mother of they Dying

In times of great sadness, suffering, and loneliness, we think of our mothers. No doubt, it brought such great consolation to Jesus, as he hung upon the cross, that his mother was with him, even though it brought her great pain to do so.

Through her heart, his sorrow sharing,

All his bitter anguish bearing,

Now at length the sword had passed.

Mary, we know, looks upon all of us as her sons and daughters. For from the cross, as we read in the Gospel today, Our Lord gave to her all of his disciples throughout all the ages to be her spiritual children. She has such great compassion for us all, and comes to the aid of her children.

Mary comes especially to the aid of the dying, in the final moments when salvation may be won or lost. We read numberless instances in the lives of saints and devout souls in which Mary appeared to them and aided them on their deathbed. The rooms of the dying are Our Lady's special sphere of activity, for those who are in their last agony are her beloved children. Mary draws close to the dying, helping them prepare for eternity.

In Dante’s Purgatorio, one soul explains how because of his wicked life he had become destined for hell, but in his last breath he was inspired to speak the name of Mary, and this was enough to save his soul.

Sharing our Mother’s compassion for the dying, we should pray every day for those in the hour of death, for faithful souls as well as impenitent souls. For we know that deathbed conversions are possible. Mary helps unrepentant souls reach final contrition.

Whenever I visit the dying, I always encourage their family members to pray the rosary with them. For no doubt, as they lay dying, the prayers of our childhood, are so comforting and also so powerful because it helps them to know the closeness of Mary, Mother of the Dying.

Those who die with her as their mother, die as faithful disciples of Christ, and heirs of the kingdom of heaven. May we show true compassion to all the afflicted, and know Mary’s closeness as we carry our crosses for the glory of God and salvation of souls.