Day of Defeat...

1 Sm 4:1-11 - Ps 44:10-11, 14-15, 24-25 - Mk 1:40-45

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Isreal is defeated today. By this point in scripture Isreal had been doing whatever they pleased and only in a time of defeat do they call on God... not in a voice of humility, but of arrogance. As if God was a weapon they could pull out and use. The ark only has the signifigance that God gives it, without his grace it is just a pretty box. Today Eli's sons fell to the Philistines swords just as the rest of Isreal did. It is interesting to note the Philistines. The Philistines did not believe in God, but did not believe because God had not yet been revealed to them. However, they had heard of his works and were fearful and redoubled their efforts. They respected the power of God and were victorious. The responsorial psalm is downbeat to match the place of Isreal after this battle.

Christ in the gospel has hard times. Everyone I have heard interpret this story interpets it differently then I understand it to be. They say that Christ tells the leper to keep his miracle secret, knowing that he will tell all. However, I strongly do not agree. That would put Christ in the deception category, and sets a precedent that God asks us to do what he knows we cannot. I think this story gives us insight into God's role in the world. Our obedience or disobediance can make the God's task easier or hard. His will, much like Christ's mission, will be done but it makes things very much harder for God in the mean time. After this point in the gospel we will hear about how Christ is so surrounded by people that he cannot even eat in peace. Are the people being selfish or worshiping who they know to be as God. Do they cluster around him in awe or do they try to see what they can get from him. Are they trying to use him as their ancestors used the ark? and are they still not defeated?

C.S. Lewis tells us in the Screwtape Tape letters that God will not be used as a convience, as a stamp that will bring about worldly success. God's plan and will are his own we must conform to him, not the other way around.