THE WORD AND THE SAINT
2 Samuel 7: 4-17; Mark 4: 1-20
As the oft-repeated quote of Blessed Mother Teresa goes, 'we are not called to be successful, but to be faithful!' It can well be paraphrased in terms of today's readings: we are called to be faithful and it is God's part to make us fruitful.
The Lord makes David understand that all the glory that he had acquired was a bountiful gift from God. The Lord does not want David to fall in the same trap as his predecessor, the trap of pride and arrogance. The Lord promises much more to David, just because he has proved himself to be a faithful servant and a loving son.
Just like the sower in the parable that Jesus narrates, David did not have much to do with his rise from a simple shepherd boy to the king that he became. All that the sower can do is, sow and faithfully take care of the sown seed as it grows. "Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God alone, who makes things grow" (1 Cor 3:7), writes St. Paul.
St. Francis de Sales, the Doctor of Kindness whom we celebrate today, would say: "The many troubles in your household will tend to your edification, if you strive to bear them all in gentleness, patience and kindness. Keep this ever before you, and remember constantly that God's loving eyes are upon you amid all these little worries and vexations." Faithfulness is ours and Fruitfulness is the Lord's!
Our concern should be just one: to be faithful to the Lord in everything and the Lord will reward that life with fruitfulness, in God's own goodness, because the Lord says: Forever I will maintain my love for my servant!