2 Sm 18:9-10, 14b, 24-25a, 30; 19:3 Ps 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 Mk 5:21-43

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer The Daily Reflections

When I was about to receive my Confirmation, my sponsor told me that each night I should do an Examination of Conscience and say the Act of Contrition. I was disappointed. Up to age 13 I was sinning everyday but I had hoped eventually I would just stop. The daily Act of Contrition suggested otherwise.

I find David to be one of the Bible’s most relatable characters. I am one of the youngest in a pretty big family. I don’t have any super human traits. I’m not a prophet. Unlike David I can’t even play a harp. But I do mess up. A lot.

David’s life is quite the melodrama- overcoming insurmountable odds to slay Goliath, becoming the king of the chosen people, failing morally by taking Bathsheba, and now disobeying God. Yet through it all God does not give up on him.

God is patient. God is kind. God is just.

In today’s reading David selflessly begs God to punish only him and not his people.

Seeing David fall short time and time again makes him relatable, but seeing him today come forward as a just king who is concerned with the well-being of his people makes me hopeful.

I am flawed like David. But, like him, with God’s help, I can be selfless and just, as he was in today’s reading. Through it all God will not give up on me. He will help me learn from my mistakes and may sometimes even be merciful and stay the angel’s hand.

“God is even kinder than you think.” - St Theresa