By Shanborlang Mawrie csc –
Readings: 2 Sam 5:1-7, 10; Mk 3:22-30
In today’s gospel reading, Jesus is responding to the scribes who accused him of being possessed by the evil. Jesus asks them “How can Satan cast out Satan?” This reading is relevant when I apply it to our daily life in the community.
It is a fact that there is no community that can run smoothly if the members are divided among themselves or if the members are only gossiping or living with hatred, jealousy, and unforgiveness with each other. The community can stand firm in the bad and good moments only when the members are working together with deep union.
I am responsible for building up the community. I need to begin to build up a strong foundation for myself with virtues of patience, kindness, optimism, love, care, and forgiveness. Everything will not come automatically and immediately; it is a lifelong process that I have to live and practice every day.
Sometimes, I think that I am not good enough to do this work or it is a very tough task. These are the words that often come naturally. Then how do I expect the community to function well if all the members give their own excuses and concentrate only on weaknesses and limitations instead of giving a try and giving the best?
No one is perfect; we have our limitations and weaknesses like we see in the life of David in the first reading. He was only a shepherd, but he was chosen to be the king and shepherd of all the people of Israel. The most important thing is that I have to accept myself as I am and invite the Holy Spirit to guide my life. My readiness to give the best in whatever I do is my contribution to building up a good community.