Word to the Wise
Wednesday, February 3, 2010 - Wednesday in the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time (St. Blaise)
[2 Samuel 24:2, 9-17 and Mark 6:1-6]When David saw the angel who was striking the people, he said to the Lord: "It is I who have sinned; it is I, the shepherd, who have done wrong. But these are sheep; what have they done? Punish me and my kindred." [2 Samuel]
Leaders who commit wrong that brings disaster on those whom they lead should be held personally responsible, right? That seems to make sense but we know from experience that this is not the way things happen very often. In the first scripture for today, King David provides us with an example that is worth noting. David's big ego leads him to try and gain control of the people of Israel by taking a census. This may not seem such a big deal to us (although we do know how important a census can be in terms of politics and funding), but the biblical presupposition is that the people of Israel belong to God and not to David, so his behavior is one big act of presumption! So, the prophet, Gad, comes and offers him three bad choices for punishment: famine, military defeat, or pestilence. Instead of assuming responsibility right away, David makes one of the three choices and you better believe it didn't involve his being defeated! Finally, he gets the point, assumes personal responsibility and repents so that the plague abates. One must hope and pray in this mid-term election year (a time of census, no less!), that those who are serving in office and those who hope to gain office will pay attention to the matter of personal responsibility for their choices. Far too often these leaders find some face saving/finger pointing way of avoiding responsibility for their choices that cause great suffering on their constituents. And we can be sure that they will do anything to avoid defeat! Shepherds who consider their job more important than their sheep are very dangerous people! King David proves the point today. AMEN
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