Obstinacy of Total Surrender

THE WORD AND THE SAINT 

January 21, 2026 - Remembering St. Agnes of Rome 

1 Samuel 17:32-33,37,40-51; Mark 3:1-6

A mere pebble was enough for the young David to bring down the mighty Goliath. In fact, Goliath needed no javelin or spear to kill that young brat David - he was just a boy! But Goliath could not, because the obstinacy of his pride and arrogance impeded him from real glory. 

The whole sanhedrin and the entire ruling class plotted against Jesus but no one could do anything till the appointed time, though Jesus had no spear or javelin to defend himself. They were caught up in their obstinacy of self-righteousness and convention, that they could not see God's glory shining around them.

St. Agnes, who we celebrate today, was just a little girl, like David whom we encounter in the Word. She was just 12 or 13 and there were so many who were determined to possession of her. No one could, because of her obstinacy to belong to God... this is a different type of  obstinacy from the previous two that we have seen. This is an Obstinacy of total surrender to the Lord... that was seen in Jesus, and in David. 

We are called to remember, that no one can stop us from the good we do if that good is ordained according to the holy will of God. If it were for my own gain or glory, my own pride or proof, I cannot blame God if it brings strife and suffering alone. A small reason is enough to topple the entire edifice so carefully raised, just like a pebble was enought to bring Goliath down. When I have my selfish mileage to make and manipulate persons and situations placing my trust in my might then I should realise I am far far away from the Lord. 

Maybe we could try growing in this type of an obstinacy - the obstinacy of total surrender to the Lord.