3rd Week in Ordinary Time (Year A) : Saturday 27th January 2024

One of the great weaknesses of the human heart is to desire something without thinking of the consequences. The story of David and Uriah’s wife is a good example of this blindness of the human heart. David had seen Bathsheba bathing on the roof of her house and had found her very attractive. That in itself was not a sin, but David allowed the attraction to lead him towards actions which earned God’s displeasure, including the sin of murder.

A wise saying states that treachery returns to afflict the treacherous person. David commanded his army officer to ensure that, in battle, Uriah would be stationed where the fighting was fiercest and so he would be trapped and killed. David could then marry Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife. As David had Uriah trapped and killed, Nathan trapped David with a simple innocuous story and had him condemn himself with his own words.

David was king and thought he could do whatever he liked and have whatever he wanted. As Christians, however, we ought to realise that to be in a situation of power and authority is an opportunity to serve.

Lord Jesus, in Your life on earth. You always did what was pleasing to the Father. Grant us the grace, as Your disciples, to live humbly according to Your truth and so attain the gift of everlasting life.