Day 108: Saul's Vanity

 Today's readings: 1 Samuel 13-14 and Psalm 58.

I. In 1 Samuel 13, Saul organized the Israelite army, and his son, Jonathan, attacked the Philistine city of Geba, which provoked a major response. The Israelites are terrified, and after waiting seven days for Samuel, who had been delayed, Saul made a burnt offering himself to God. When Samuel arrived, he was upset and rebuked Saul for this unlawful action, telling him that because of this disobedience, Saul's "kingdom shall not continue" and that another would be found (later known as David). Only 600 men were left with Saul and Jonathan ready for battle. No blacksmiths were to be found in Israel, and the Philistines controlled all blacksmithing, meaning the Israelites were unable to make more weapons. Only Saul and Jonathan were left with swords and spears as the Philistines marched out to meet the Israelites.

In the next chapter, Jonathan surprised and attacked the Philistines at Michmash. Saul sees what Jonathan has done and joins the attack with the rest of his forces, causing the Philistines to panic and be routed. Saul then makes a rash oath binding the Israelites to fast until evening. Jonathan doesn't hear this oath being sworn and proceeds to eat some honey to replenish his strength after the battle. Upon hearing of the rash oath, he criticizes his father for not allowing the Israelite army to eat, as they could have won a bigger victory. The soldiers are starving and slaughter some animals to eat, but they violated God's law as blood was still in the meat. Saul seeks guidance from God on whether he should attack the Philistines again or not, but he receives no answer. He realizes that someone has sinned; Jonathan is identified as the one he declared must die. The people recognized that God had worked through Jonathan, which persuaded Saul to spare him. The chapter finishes with a summary of Saul's reign, from the battles with Israel's enemies to the warriors he gathered, and a listing of his family members.

The BIY Companion, Vol I, has some good commentary on this:

Samuel has promised to come to Saul in seven days to offer sacrifice, but he does not. The people are scattering, and Saul begins to falter. Preoccupied as always with the opinions of others, Saul decides to offer the sacrifice rather than wait for Samuel... Although Saul is vain, he still has strengths. Rather than give up, he continues to fight against the Philistines on behalf of the people of Israel. He does not abandon the people or the Lord, even after learning that he will have no kingly dynasty... Saul continues to fight, but he seems to be driven by vanity and the need to succeed. He is a complex character. Since all of us are complex people, we can see some of ourselves in Saul. Hopefully, we can see ourselves also in the goodness and bravery of Jonathan. (p. 232)

II. Psalm 58 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes (verse numbers removed): 

A lament psalm. The speaker is distressed by corrupt judges who deal in lies and lead their victims to death. He utters several imprecations, pleading with God to hold them accountable for their crimes and to halt their abuse of power. In the end, he is confident that God will give the righteous and the wicked what they deserve. (p. 878)

Also recommended in the BIY Companion today is this video by Fr. Mike Schmitz on vanity:

That's all for today!

Day 107: Samuel's Speech

 Today's readings: 1 Samuel 11-12 and Psalm 55.

I. 1 Samuel 11 recounts Saul's first great public victory as king. Led by Saul, Israel defeats the Ammonites. Some wanted to execute those who had opposed Saul as king, but he showed them mercy. Finally, Samuel called all the people to Gilgal to reaffirm Saul as king and to rejoice in the Lord.

In the next chapter, Samuel gives a farewell address to Israel as he hands over political leadership to Saul as the new king. He remains a prophet of God, but is no longer a Judge over Israel. In his address, Samuel recounts Israel's history, calls them to repentance, warns them about rejecting God's kingship, and finally encourages them to remain faithful.

The BIY Companion, Vol I, has some good commentary on this:

God has always taken care of his people in their need, but now they want a king like other nations. While this is not what God wants - he himself wants to be their King - he grants their request due to the hardness of their hearts. Similarly, God permits all of the battles Israel needs to fight, although this is not part of his original plan. God's call is always "higher," but he sometimes allows us to stay "lower" if we choose. It is better to set our minds and hearts "on the heights" - on God's will for our lives. Through Samuel, the Lord promises that he will bless the people only if both they and their king are faithful to him. (p. 230)

At this point, I feel like there should be that music from the movies that clues one in to bad things coming shortly.

II. Psalm 55 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes (verse numbers removed): 

A lament psalm. The speaker seeks deliverance from his distressing circumstances: he lives in a city where enemies hound him, where he fears for his life, and where a former friend has turned against him. He wishes aloud that he could escape or at least find peace in the demise of his persecutors. Desperate and anxious, he places full confidence in God's power to save. (p. 875)

That's it for today!

Day 106: Saul is Chosen

Today's readings: 1 Samuel 9-10 and Proverbs 6:23-35.

I. 1 Samuel 9 recounts how Saul is chosen and becomes king in Israel. It begins with Saul looking for lost donkeys, and after failing to find them, he is advised to consult a "man of God," the prophet Samuel. At the end of the chapter, and into the beginning of the next, Saul is anointed king by Samuel.

In the next chapter, after Saul is anointed by Samuel, the latter tells him where to go to confirm God's calling and that his lost donkeys will be found. It is said that "God gave him another heart," and Saul prophesied with the prophets he was supposed to meet, astonishing others. Saul returns home and lets his family know the donkeys have been found, but he says nothing else. Soon afterward, Samuel calls all the people together in Mizpah and lets them know that Israel now has a king, as they wished. It is Saul.

The BIY Companion, Vol I, notes:

When Samuel anoints Saul, he says the Spirit of God will come upon him and make him a new creation. This is what happens in Baptism: through water and anointing, we are made new in the Holy Spirit and are anointed to share in Christ's threefold ministry as priest, prophet, and king. We can identify with Saul. Even though he is not the most heroic of characters, he is not thoroughly corrupt. Like many of us, he is wounded and cares too much about what other people think. (p. 228)

II.  In Proverbs 6:23-35, we again get advice to young men and finally reach the end of this proverb. As the Ignatius Bible notes (verse numbers removed):

Again the young man is warned against the wiles of the adulterous woman. He is put on guard against her seductive speech, her captivating beauty, and her flirtatious gestures. The price of giving in to lustful attraction is nothing less than his "life" (CCC 2351). (p. 969)

The BIY Companion, Vol I, has some good commentary on this:

One does not need to indulge in sexual appetites, so fornication and adultery are always condemned. How often do we sin in seeking things we do not even need? This shows our brokenness. We must always ask the Lord for his mercy and forgiveness, as well as for reconciliation and healing, so we can avoid these sins in the future. (p. 228)

That's all for today!

Introduction to the Royal Kingdom

There are no readings today, but just an introduction video to the next section of the program with Fr. Mike Schmitz and Jeff Cavins. Back to the Old Testament we go and finally finish 1 Samuel! Still weird how they divided this, though I did enjoy re-reading my favorite Gospel. 

The age of the Judges is over, and, per Israel's request for a king, which God grants, a new era begins. Saul will be the first king, followed by David, and then his son Solomon. Ultimately, the descendants of David led to Jesus to fulfill the covenant.

The BIY Companion, Vol I, has some good commentary introducing this period:

The period of the Royal Kingdom, much like Egypt and Exodus, brings significant changes for the people of God. They now have a king like all the other nations, but the king is called to lead and rule as God's sovereign. Jerusalem will become the permanent place where God will place his name. After Jerusalem is established as the capital of a united nation, unrest begins to grow among the ten northern tribes about the way they are being treated by the king. This grumbling will soon become a movement that will have drastic consequences following Solomon's death. (p. 227)

That's it for today!

Day 105: It Is Finished

Today's readings: John 19-21 and Proverbs 6:16-22.

I. John 19 tells of the Passion of Christ. Pilate had Jesus scourged, He was then crucified and died, and was buried.

In the next chapter, Mary Magdalene visits the tomb and finds it empty with the stone rolled away. She ran to tell Peter and John, who then rushed to the tomb (John outrunning Peter) to see for themselves that it was empty and then left. Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene outside the tomb. Soon after this, Jesus next appeared to the Apostles, except Thomas, who was absent. Then He appeared to Thomas when he returned.

John 21 recounts how Jesus appeared once more to the Apostles at Lake Tiberias. He reconciles with and restores Peter after this for denying Him. The Gospel ends with a final word about and from John, along with noting that there was much else Jesus said and did that would take many books to write down.

The BIY Companion, Vol I, has some good commentary on this:

When Jesus asks Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" (John 21:15), he first uses a Greek word related to agape - self-sacrificial, unconditional love. When Peter responds that he loves Jesus, he uses a word related to philia - brotherly, friendship love. The third time Jesus asks Peter, he switches to philia also. Jesus wants us to love him like he love sus, but even when we do not, he meets us where we are, and accepts our love. When we come back to Jesus, he restores us. Peter betrayed and denied him. But Jesus indicates that he will restore him as he tells him, "Feed my lambs. Tend my sheep." This is a word of hope for us. When we feel like all is lost because of a mess we have made, we can come back to Jesus. (p. 224)

Not exactly a spoiler, but I had forgotten that the death of Judas isn't recorded in this Gospel. Nevertheless, I always think of that when I see Peter restored like this. Imagine if Judas hadn't given in to despair for betraying Jesus, but had repented like Peter? Sadly, he didn't.

II. Proverbs 6:16-22 continues the advice to young men. As the Ignatius Bible notes, this is (verse numbers removed):

One of several numerical proverbs in which objects of praise, censure, or similarity are itemized in a list. This one catalogs seven abominations in the sight of God: arrogance, lying, violence, premeditating murder, eagerness for mischief, perjury, and causing family strife. Most of these sins are associated with specific parts of the body (eyes, tongue, hands, heart, feet). (p. 969)

That's all for today!

Day 104: The Priestly Prayer of Jesus

Today's readings: John 16-18 and Proverbs 6:12-15.

I. John 16 has Jesus teaching many things to the Apostles. First, He warns them that they will face opposition and persecution for His sake and to not lose faith. Jesus predicts His death and resurrection, that their grief will be turned to sorrow. After this, the Holy Spirit will come to their advantage, to convict the world of sin, guide them in truth, and glorify Christ.

In the next chapter, Jesus gives what is often called the High Priestly Prayer because Jesus intercedes for Himself, the Apostles, and all future believers. His comparison of Christian unity to that shared by the Father and the Son (17:21), we have in the Church, but Christians have not done so well with each other.

John 18 begins the Passion narrative. Judas Iscariot's betrayal is completed as Jesus is arrested. I like how they fell down when He gave an "I Am" reply to them. He is brought before Annas, then Caiaphas, and Peter denies knowing Him. He is taken before Pilate, who questions Him, has Him flogged, and later attempts to release Him under a Passover custom. The crowd, however, chose Barrabas, and Jesus was condemned. The whole thing was a sordid mess that many will answer for. At least it helped convert an actor and hopefully many others.

The BIY Companion, Vol I, has some good commentary on this:

Jesus does not promise a life free from suffering. During his public ministry, he faces derision, humiliation, and pain - ultimately, the loss of everything except his Father... Jesus is betrayed and handed over to Pilate, who asks him, "What is truth?" (John 18:38). This is a pertinent question for our relativistic age. Today, many say, "You have your truth, and I have mine." Jesus challenges this notion, saying that everyone who hears his voice hears the truth. While Jesus says that he has come to gather the lost sheep of the house of Israel, he makes it clear that his saving mission is for people of every nation. (p. 222)

II. Proverbs 6:12-15 gives more advice to young men, not to be liars and troublemakers, either being one themselves or associating with them, for such will bring them to ruin. I've said this before with some of the Psalms, but the same is true with some of the Proverbs: I don't like how they divide them up like this. Something that should be just one or two days is stretched out over multiple days. It's ridiculous!

That's it for today.

Day 103: Judas' Secrecy

Today's readings: John 13-15 and Proverbs 6:6-11.

I. John 13 begins with Jesus washing the feet of the Apostles at the Last Supper. He then foretells His betrayal by Judas Iscariot, as we know afterward. He gives the remaining Apostles, after Judas had left, a new commandment. The chapter ends with Jesus foretelling Peter's denial of Him. This is now known as Maundy Thursday, which begins the Paschal Triduum.

In the next chapter, Jesus teaches them that He is the way to the Father. Right after the confusing foretelling of betrayal by one of them, Judas's leaving for some reason, and Jesus predicting Peter's denial of Him, this must have been a relief to the Apostles, but also overwhelming too. The chapter ends with Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit.

John 15 begins with Jesus teaching that He is the vine and we are the branches as His followers. The world's hatred of the Gospel and believers is told by Jesus.

The BIY Companion, Vol I, has some good commentary on this:

Jesus promises his apostles that he will prepare a place for them and send the Holy Spirit. These are the arms of the Father reaching out to embrace us, one arm being the Son and the other being the Holy Spirit. We have the choice of whether or not we want to live in that embrace. God says we can do nothing without him. In him, though, we can do all things. In all of our struggles, we are called to abide in the heart of Jesus. In our weakness, we might betray the love of Jesus, like Judas, or deny him in our actions, like Peter. When we find ourselves betraying or denying the Lord, we need to seek his forgiveness and ask for the grace that will bring us back to him. (p. 220)

II. Proverbs 6:6-11 advises young men to steer clear of laziness.

That's it for today!