Readings: 1 Sam. 4:1-11, Ps. 44:10-11,14-15,24-25, Mark 1:40-45
“So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated, and they fled, every man to his home; and there was a very great slaughter, for there fell of Israel thirty thousand foot soldiers. And the ark of God was captured; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.” (1 Samuel 4:10-11)
The Israelite nation was engaged in battle with the Philistines, who were gaining the upper hand. In just one day, the Philistines slew four thousand men. Out of desperation, the Israelite army “ordered” the Ark of God. The two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, who were directly responsible for the care of the Ark, did not respect God. Before bringing the Ark into the battlefield, they ought to have engaged in acts of fasting to plead for God’s mercy. They treated the Ark like a charm.
Even Jesus did not begin his ministry without engaging in a period of fasting and prayer. This story underscores the importance of the minister’s prior preparation. Hophni and Phineas lived immoral lives. As ministers of God, we must always be on guard. The fact that we officiate in religious ceremonies does not exempt us from following God’s commandments. Hophni and Phineas had no fear of God, and this had an adverse ripple effect on the entire Israelite nation.
We read in 1 Samuel 2:12, “The sons of Eli were scoundrels; they had no regard for the Lord or for the duties of the priests to the people…. Thus, the sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the Lord; for they treated the offerings of the Lord with contempt…” Even the women who served at the tent’s entrance were not spared from their gross immorality (cf. 1 Samuel 2:22).
Eli did his best to caution Hopni and Phineas, but they ignored him. Destruction follows when we fail to heed our parents’ advice. The fourth commandment says, “Honour your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12). If you have no respect for your parents, how can you prove that you have respect for God? You may be physically stronger than your parents, but you cannot be wiser than they are. All through the Scriptures, those who failed to listen to their parents did not end well.
Those who treat prayer like magic have no respect for God. They see themselves as powerful and regard God as an object that will always do their bidding. Instead of begging God, they issue commands. Instead of acknowledging their nothingness like John the Baptist, who said he was unfit to untie the sandals of Jesus, they boast of their powers and even give themselves titles. Instead of praying for others and telling them not to publicise it (as Jesus did in today’s Gospel passage), they bring cameras to televise it. They reduce the sanctuary to a stage on which people clap and drop money onto the floor for the performer (in this case, the man of God). Church services quickly transform into concerts when prayer is seen as magic.
In today’s Gospel passage, a leper approached Jesus, beseeching him and kneeling, saying, “If you will, you can make me clean.” The leper displayed faith and humility before Jesus. He prayed for healing but was careful to add, “If you will, knowing that his healing depended entirely on God. The leper did not display a sense of entitlement; he did not shout or command God.
In teaching us to pray, Jesus deliberately added the phrase: “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…”, to clarify that prayer is not magic. After curing the leper, Jesus told him to “say nothing to people” because he did not want attention drawn to himself. Even when the leper disobeyed this instruction, Jesus went into hiding. “He could no longer openly enter a town but was out in the country.”
Jesus never wanted anyone to see Him as a magician. He came to save mankind, not to put up a show. Jesus sought relief for the sick, not human applause. Jesus is God; He could have “enjoyed his life to the fullest” like Hophni and Phinehas and still worked miracles, but He lived a disciplined life. A few days ago, we read how Jesus went to a lonely place very early in the morning to pray. Hophni and Phineas took personal prayers for granted. They treated God like an object, oppressing the people, maltreating the weak and elderly, thinking they could always get God to do their bidding.
Dear friends, prayer is not magic; learn to give God the glory He deserves. Worship God in and out of season; do not make the mistake of Hophni and Phineas. As a minister, never assume your lifestyle has nothing to do with your calling. Even if you are not a minister, ensure your life is pleasing to God. Beg God; do not command Him.
Let us pray: Attend to the pleas of your people with heavenly care, O Lord, we pray, that they may see what must be done and gain strength to do what they have seen. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Thursday of week 1 in Ordinary Time. Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: 1 Sam. 4:1-11, Ps. 44:10-11,14-15,24-25, Mark 1:40-45)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu