Generations in conflict...

1 Sm 8:4-7, 10-22a - Ps 89:16-17, 18-19 - Mk 2:1-12

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When I look at both the first reading and the Gospel one thing strikes me. The Israelites elders go to Samuel to appoint a king, and desire to do so even after Samuel warns them about what will happen. God states that it is not Samuel that the people reject, but God as their unseen king. The Israelites elders insist upon having a king, so God tells Samuel to appoint one.
The Gospel speaks today directly of Christ's authority not over people but sin itself. Christ in absolute authority forgives the sins a paralyzed man. People are literally crowding Jesus out of his home, something in them is obviously drawn to this authority. However there are still those in the crowd, scribes and elders of the community, who question Jesus's authority.
The elder generation tends to get locked into a pattern of protecting the people at large, yet their position of earthly authority cuts them off from the very people they wish to serve. Is it the doom of all authority when placed upon the head of a person for them to become haughty and forget the very reasons they took office in the first place. So poignantly portrayed in the Gospel that when Christ comes with demonstrable acts of God's authority the community elders are so wrapped up in their job as protectors and guardians of truth that they fail to see what the common man so readily embraces.
Before though, like generations past it is easy scapegoat the society elders and hold them responsible for all the world's problems. Let us first discuss why they are so wrapped up in this desire to protect. The non-elder portions of society, contrary to popular press do have a habit of making mistakes and getting caught up in movements that experience has taught elders to avoid. The real question is how does the younger generation learn from the elder class but yet keep the elders open to new experience and ideas? How do the elders keep from becoming blinded by experience and success?
We tend to think of the pharisees and scribes as evil or stupid because they couldn't see what was so obvious to us, but how obvious is His authority to us really? Do we still not gauge success in terms of money or at least consider money first when changing jobs or when some event has an impact on our economy? How many of us give up a momentary present pleasure for a "treasure stored in heaven"?
The thought on the readings today is not about how silly the Israelite elders of Samuel were or how blind the Hebrew scribes of Jesus's time were but how blind are we today? How much do we take for granted that we will recognize Christ when He comes? Will you recognize Him when He approaches you today clothed in the trappings of the least of this world? God is the present and real king of all at this very moment, not in the future or fullness of time, nor at the end of our lives, but right this very minute. So before we condemn quickly the elders of old or even today let us learn from them, so that we may elders of God's kingdom someday, then we might be able to forever sing the goodness of the Lord.