Click here for today’s Scripture readings.

2 Sam 11:1-4a, 5-10a, 13-17
Psalm 51: 3-4a, 5-6a, 6bcd-7, 10-11
Mark 4:26-24

Today’s First Reading is almost like watching a bad soap opera: a man desires a married woman, the man pursues and gives into this desire. Then there is risk of his indiscretions being exposed, so the man goes to great lengths to cover up his sinful actions, including murdering the woman’s husband.

If this really were a soap opera, I would have already turned the channel and moved on to something much more pleasant and uplifting, perhaps the nature channel, where, like today’s Gospel, I might find a story about the tiny mustard seed being planted and then growing into an expansive plant that provides shelter for the birds.

In real life, however, we cannot just turn our own channel and be a better person. The reality is that we are not perfect; we are sinners. We fail and we fall. But the other great reality is that God still loves us and is waiting to pick us back up, brush us off, and bring us back into His embrace. We cannot do it on our own, but thankfully, Christ came to earth offering His life on the cross, so that we wouldn’t have to. God offers us His grace and mercy, we just need to humbly reach out and ask for help and forgiveness.

I think it is quite fitting that in today’s readings, nestled between David’s story of great sinfulness and Jesus’ parable of the mustard seed depicting the growth of the Kingdom of God, is today’s Psalm, Psalm 51: Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me.

These words are written by David after he was confronted about his sinful actions. David recognizes his sinfulness, how his actions hurt others and damaged his relationship with God. Before the Lord he pours out his heart, showing how deeply sorry he is. If you continue to follow David’s story, you will see that God forgives and continues to use David to further His Kingdom, and ultimately, through the lineage of David comes Jesus, God’s Son, the Messiah.

Although not usually a fan of soap operas, I actually find David’s story inspiring; a reminder that we are all human. David may have been the great King of Israel, chosen and anointed by God, revered for his holiness. But today we read about the real human being David, who, just like you and I gave into temptation and sinned.

Good for him and good for us, that is not the end of the story. David repented and God forgave. It is a great reminder that the holy men and woman of the Bible, and all of the saints, were just as human as you and me. They had their struggles and were not perfect, but with the help of God’s mercy and grace they recognized their sinfulness, humbled themselves before God asking forgiveness, and continued to live a life of holiness, one day at a time. This is what makes them saints. It is a great reminder that for you and I holiness is not as far out of reach as we sometimes think.

So, today, admit where you have fallen short and ask God for the healing and forgiveness that you need in your life. Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, let God wash away your guilt and sin. Let the mustard seed of your faith continue to grow and flourish so that you too can be an instrument of God to build up His Kingdom.

I’ll leave you with a song that I think speaks this message so beautifully: You Are More, by Tenth Avenue North.

Tricia Lothschutz
Assistant to the Director
Passionist Volunteers International