Fear-driven Hostility vs. Need-driven Openness

Homily for Thursday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time

The reading from the First Book of Samuel shows fear-driven hostility, while the reading from the Gospel of Mark shows need-driven openness. One story tightens; the other opens. A unifying thread that draws these two readings together asks us how we respond when God’s grace shows up in someone else’s life.

Saul hears the women singing David’s praises and something inside him collapses. Envy takes root. The text says Saul “eyed David from that day on.” That glance is the beginning of spiritual corrosion. Jonathan, by contrast, models the opposite spirit. He sees David’s gifts and doesn’t feel threatened. He protects him, advocates for him, and even risks his own standing with Saul. Jonathan shows that love is not diminished by another’s greatness.

In the Gospel text for today, crowds press in from every direction. They don’t care who gets healed first or who gets the most attention. They simply know Jesus is the one who can restore them. Even the unclean spirits recognize Him. Where Saul sees a threat, the demons see the truth. Saul’s world gets smaller. Jonathan’s gets larger. The crowds in Mark move toward life. The demons acknowledge reality. Everyone in these readings responds to the presence of God’s anointed — but not everyone responds well.

Imagine the difference between a clenched fist and an open hand. Saul’s heart closes; Jonathan’s opens. The crowds open themselves to Jesus. Healing happens where there is openness. We have been called to be people who are open to the presence of God wherever God chooses to appear. May we always respond with open hearts, ready to acknowledge Jesus in the special moments of our lives and in the daily Eucharist.