In life there are often various moments of helplessness, which induce states of suffering and discomfort. When confronted, in particular, with grief and death, everything becomes more difficult to deal with and, often, to overcome and understand.
Loss and Grief
When the death of a significant person to us occurs (a parent, a child, a brother, a particularly dear friend), the physical absence creates intense feelings of lacking and acute psychological and physical suffering. These feelings can be expressed with psychic closure, accompanied by the desperate desire not to go further, to no longer live without the one who was so important as to represent not only an affection, but also a point of reference and support.
In our first reading today, we see Samuel enveloped by sense of grief and pain because of the “loss” of King Saul (1 Sam. 16:1-13). Loss of Saul? But Saul did not die. He was only rejected by God as the king of Israel. Yes! But in the eyes of Samuel, this is more like death, spiritual death if you like. What else is the essence of living if one has been rejected by God? Samuel continues to cry and grieve because of this, but God suddenly penetrates his world of grief and distracts Samuel. “How long will you grieve for Saul, whom I have rejected as king of Israel?” (1 Sam 16:1). These words jolt Samuel to his feet. He comes back to face the reality of the loss.
Be On Your Way
When we lose a loved one (and not just a relative) or lose something precious to us, the reactions are different for each of us, as are the stages of grief. How we adapt also depends on specific factors. In the last year, also due to the pandemic, the media has begun to speak more openly about the loss of loved ones and the management of grief by the families and friends of those who have left us. We must face this reality in our lives. Many people have also recently lost their jobs and means of livelihood, again no thanks to the pandemic ravaging the entire world. In my priestly pastoral life, I keep encountering people who struggle so hard to deal with the reality of loss, either that of a loved one or that of the means of their livelihood. There are people who easily adapt and move on. Whatever be the situation, the Lord is asking you today: How long will you grieve? Get up, fill your horn with oil, and be on your way.
Appearance and Reality
An age long philosophical problem deals with the concept of appearance and reality, which highlights the opposition between the perception of a thing and its objective reality. Things are not always what they look like. Human beings are not always whom they appear to be. First impression sometimes can be a false impression. We see this play out as Samuel goes to the house of Jesse, under the instruction of the Lord, to anoint king one of Jesse’s sons, in replacement to Saul, whom the Lord has rejected.
As the passage tells us, “Not as man sees does God see, because he sees the appearance, but the LORD looks into the heart” (1 Sam 16:). Many times, the same thing happens to us too. We like something, it looks perfect in our eyes, and we are led to believe that it is also God’s will. But we should never make a decision based on appearances. If Samuel had done that, he would have anointed the wrong man. Instead, we will always have to consult The One Who Sees where our senses cannot see: to the heart.
Personal Questions:
We are God’s chosen (1 Peter 2:9). But what did the Lord choose me for? What are my weaknesses that I can turn into strength? What did he find in my heart? Let him anoint us and be beside us in the task he has entrusted to us.
So well written. Your writing is a gift to us. Thank you Father!