Saul was very angry... “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?”– 1 Samuel 18:8

          Hopi and Zuni were both mighty eagles who flew high up in the sky. They were not the best of friends and often found themselves competing with each other. The rivalry drove Hopi to jealousy because Zuni could fly higher and faster than him.

       One day, Hopi spotted a hunter in the forest below. He swooped down and directed him to Zuni flying high in the sky. “Why don’t you take that bird down?” Hopi suggested to the huntsman. The latter replied, “I want to but I don’t have enough feathers for my arrow.” Hopi pulled out a few of his own and offered it to the hunter. The hunter aimed his arrow at Zuni but fell short. “I need more feathers. He’s too way up in the sky.” Hopi, driven by envy, kept pulling out more and more of his feathers until he could no longer fly. That’s when the hunter turned to him and shot him.

       Jealousy is a sin that harms ourselves. Think about it: what hurt or harm does it do to others if you are envious of what they have? It’s you who become miserable for what you don’t have and you who lose pleasure over the blessings you already possess. The antidote to jealousy? Give thanks! Rissa Singson Kawpeng (justbreatherissa@gmail.com)

Reflect: Envy is listed among the seven capital sins because although they’re not the worst of sins, they give birth to many other offenses.

Jesus, thank You for all that I have! Amen.

St. Charles of Sezze, pray for us.

Jonathan speaks highly of David to his father Saul, and Saul relents on his intention to have David killed. But their relationship remains fractious and uncertain, something that does not bode well for the future. There are times when we have to make difficult decisions about our relationships. As we decide, let us pray for God’s grace, guidance, and wisdom.

6 At the approach of Saul and David (on David’s return after slaying the Philistine), women came out from each of the cities of Israel to meet King Saul, singing and dancing, with tambourines, joyful songs, and sistrums. 7 The women played and sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” 8 Saul was very angry and resentful of the song, for he thought: “They give David ten thousands, but only thousands to me. All that remains for him is the kingship.” 9 And from that day on, Saul was jealous of David. 19:1 Saul discussed his intention of killing David with his son Jonathan and with all his servants. But Saul’s son Jonathan, who was very fond of David, 2 told him: “My father Saul is trying to kill you. Therefore, please be on your guard tomorrow morning; get out of sight and remain in hiding. 3 I, however, will go out and stand beside my father in the countryside where you are, and will speak to him about you. If I learn anything, I will let you know.” 4 Jonathan then spoke well of David to his father Saul, saying to him: “Let not your majesty sin against his servant David, for he has committed no offense against you, but has helped you very much by his deeds. 5 When he took his life in his hands and slew the Philistine, and the Lord brought about a great victory for all Israel through him, you were glad to see it. Why, then, should you become guilty of shedding innocent blood by killing David without cause?” 6 Saul heeded Jonathan’s plea and swore, “As the Lord lives, he shall not be killed.” 7 So Jonathan summoned David and repeated the whole conversation to him. Jonathan then brought David to Saul, and David served him as before.

R: In God I trust; I shall not fear.

1 [2] Have mercy on me, O God, for men trample upon me; all the day they press their attack against me. 2 [3] My adversaries trample upon me all the day; yes, many fight against me. (R) 8 [9] My wanderings you have counted; my tears are stored in your flask; are they not recorded in your book? 9 [10] Then do my enemies turn back, when I call upon you. (R) Now I know that God is with me. 10 [11] In God, in whose promise I glory, 11 [12] in God I trust without fear; what can flesh do against me? (R) 12 [13] I am bound, O God, by vows to you; your thank offerings I will fulfill. 13 [14] For you have rescued me from death, my feet, too, from stumbling; that I may walk before God in the light of the living. (R)

Today’s Gospel teaches that Jesus wants to share the Good News to as many people as He can. He wants to keep moving and reaching out to people, and does not intend to create a power base for His ministry. As we serve in our ministries, let us focus on effectively proclaiming the Kingdom of God to others and not get sidetracked by the desire for acclaim or concern for our well-being. The Gospel is something that needs to be shared with everyone.

Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.

7 Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea. 8 Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon. 9 He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him. 10 He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. 11 And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, “You are the Son of God.” 12 He warned them sternly not to make him known.

think: Many people followed Jesus because they want to be healed. How about you? What is your purpose for seeking Jesus?

Read the Bible in one year Matthew 7-9

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________

WHEN WITHDRAWAL IS MORE

OF A CREDIT THAN A DEBIT

A maxim in economics says, “You cannot have a cake and eat it too.” It means that when you want something, you must give up something for it. It is the interplay of buying-possessing, credit-debit, and deposit-withdraw. It was only lately that I realized that withdrawal is really a gain, not a loss, because we still end up having something from what is withdrawn. Withdrawal is a plus sign, not a negative, especially with what the Gospel states today: “Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples”(Mark 3:7).

       Yesterday Jesus was filled with anger and sadness at the attitude of the Pharisees when He healed a man with a withered hand. Ever “humble and gentle of heart,” Jesus “withdrew toward the sea with His disciples” to defuse the rising tension against Him. It is a beautiful imagery of Jesus taking the backseat when things were heating up. Instead of feeding on fire, the Lord extinguishes it not out of fear or cowardice but more to take actual control of the situation. In withdrawing to pray and rest, Jesus continued to preach as more people followed Him.

       Sometimes in life, that is what we are being asked of — to withdraw and step back to let God do His work for us. It is sad that often we are so busy and obsessed in doing many things as if we have total control of everything. See how, in the First Reading, Jonathan asked David to withdraw a few days from the sight of King Saul who was then hatching a plot to kill him because of jealousy. Eventually, Jonathan was able to convince his father, King Saul, not to kill David who was able to go back and serve again. Fr. Nick Lalog

------- REFLECTION QUESTIONS -------

When did you last try withdrawing from people and situations not only to defuse tension but also to gather yourself? How willing are you to lose something — or withdraw — in order to gain more peace and joy within?

Lord Jesus Christ, when things are getting out of control, when I am so impassioned and so sure with some of my pursuits in life, teach me to withdraw and follow You to collect myself and be rooted in You anew. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ________________________________________________