A Drama of Faith

Homily for Wednesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time

Today’s readings immerse us in the drama of faith confronting fear. In the Book of Samuel, the young shepherd David stands before the giant Goliath, not with armor or sword, but with a sling, a few stones, and unshakable trust in God. His victory is not about physical strength or skill, but about faith, the conviction that “the battle is the Lord’s.” David’s courage flows from this truth: when the heart is aligned with God’s will, no obstacle, no “giant,” can prevail. It is a reminder that spiritual strength arises not from worldly means but from surrender to divine power.

The responsorial psalm beautifully echoes this confidence: “Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for battle.” It is God who equips us, often quietly and interiorly, for the struggles we face. Whether those “battles” are against fear, injustice, illness, or our own self-doubt, the faith-filled heart takes refuge in the Rock who never fails.

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus faces a different kind of confrontation, not with a warrior, but with hardened hearts. When he heals the man with the withered hand on the sabbath, his act of compassion exposes the hypocrisy of those who value legalism over love. Jesus’ question pierces through self-righteous silence: “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil?” His courage, like David’s, comes from fidelity to the Father’s mission. Both David and Jesus act in the name of God’s truth, even when surrounded by opposition.

On this Memorial of Saint Agnes, we meet yet another figure of holy courage. As a young girl, she faced martyrdom rather than betray her commitment to Christ. Like David, she was considered small and powerless by the world’s standards; yet her faith made her mighty. Her victory was not through the sword, but through steadfast love, a love stronger than fear and even death.