Today, in the first reading we see Saul and David dealing with fame and acceptance. Both had a similar background of being extras in the family. Both had similar desires and appetites of wanting to be accepted by others and hailed as heroes. But David’s desires were influenced by his relationship with God, and wanting to please Yahweh, more than having his other desires satisfied. His connect with God came because of a strong leaning towards God in his family. Note that Salmon-Rahab, Naomi, Boaz-Ruth were his grandparents and great grandparents. Saul did not have the luxury of such parentage. And thus some of the choices he made leaned towards self-centeredness, and disregard to grow in God’s favour. Such things become a trap in our lives. In the life of Saul, it festered insecurity, and when David came on the scene, jealousy. These things if not checked and placed before God, can lead to greater sin. In Saul’s case, he became obsessed with killing David. But God protected David through Saul’s Son Jonathan.

In the Gospel Reading, we have Jesus; his appetite was to do the will of His Father. He did not seek His own glory. David may have reveled in the glory and recognition that he got after killing Goliath, but Jesus was humble. His focus was Yahweh. Even though His fame and recognition had spread, and all of Judea and Jerusalem seeked to see and receive healing from Him, Jesus himself was content with being humble, not recognised, and be able to do God’s will. In this regard it was natural for Him to silence the evil spirit who recognised Him.

Today then order your thoughts and place before God all your desires and appetites, asking Him to order them according to His will.