Do we - or perhaps can we - as God-created humans really change?  Today’s readings serve as a vivid reminder of just how easy it is for us to abandon our focus upon our Savior and to get caught up in the ways of the world.  They remind us of  how we just plain fail to register all the blessings our God continues to pour into our lives!   History has shown us the dire impact of that error which sadly mankind chooses to repeat to this very hour.

Samuel was a well know Judge, serving the Lord faithfully his entire life.  Our first reading today opens following God’s delivery of the people of Israel from the brutal hands of the Philistines. They had inflicted thousands of military deaths and had captured the Ark of the Covenant.  God’s hand clearly punished the Philistines for the 20 years they possessed the Ark until they finally returned it to the Israelites.  From that day on, God continued to protect the people of Israel from the Philistines as Samuel faithfully led them under God’s guidance. 

Incredibly, the story does not end there.  The people quickly forgot who was responsible for delivering them from the Philistines and despite Samuel’s clear warnings, they turned to worldly logic and cried out for a worldly king like other nations had.  They closed their hearts to how good they had it under God’s sovereign rule and sought after what the world had to offer.  They could not see all the pain and heartache that was sure to follow that decision.  As God does for us with the “gift” of free will, He granted the Israelite’s wish and gave them Saul as their new king.  A king who made most of Samuel’s warning come true and who ultimately had to be removed by God.

Sadly, we continue to see this same pattern of mankind forgetting to maintain their focus upon the Lord. The results are always the same.  Yet, the final 3 readings for today point out reminders of who our God really is.  Hopefully that fact will encourage us not to be sidetracked by the world and its ways. 

The Responsorial Psalm speaks repeatedly of the goodness of the Lord.  We are reminded of the joy we experience in the light of the Lord’s face - His presence in our lives.  We can rejoice in His justice as well as the splendor of the strength He provides.  We are reminded to sing of His goodness forever – to keep our focus upon our Lord ! !

The Alleluia and today’s Gospel both serve as powerful reminders of the unimaginable power and love of the God we serve.  Our Alleluia found in the Gospel of Luke provides us with the story of Jesus raising the widow’s son from death.  That miraculous story is followed in today’s Gospel by the healing of the paralytic whose friends had lowered him through the roof to be next to Jesus.  On the surface, both of these incredible stories simply remind us of the all-surpassing power of the God we serve.  They serve as examples of the many miracles and wonders performed by Jesus throughout the Bible.  Each of these stories have so much more to teach us about our God then the miracle itself.   It would seem, however, that one reason they are provided is because God knew we would need powerful reminders that He is indeed the one and only true God. 

So, returning to our original question: “Can we really change?”    Can we maintain our focus upon the only true God who loves us so profoundly that He would give us His only Son to save us and bring us into an eternity with God Himself?  On our own, the answer is sadly “No”.  But God gives us His holy Word filled with powerful miracles to help us to never forget who God really is -  all powerful, yet loving -  who continues to provide endless encouragements and blessings.  So yes, we can indeed change our propensity to backslide into the world’s ways – but that path is only found through prayer and daily commitment to focusing on the truths found in His Holy Word.

Dear Heavenly Father, in this world, evil is so prevalent.  Help us to keep our hearts and minds forever focused upon you and you alone - to thankfully notice and rejoice over all the blessings that you shower upon us.   Thank you so much for understanding our weaknesses  and providing us with all that we need to be reminded daily of your never-ending love,  
 In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Amen