Proverbs 14: 29 says, “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but one who has a hasty temper exalts folly.”
Anger has destroyed many. In today’s first reading, taken from 1 Samuel, we see the start to the end of King Saul’s destruction. Saul would be a perfect candidate to fit into the word of God from Galatians 3: 3 “Are you so foolish? Having started with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh?” How often have we received, with complete realization, good things from God the Father and, down the line, taken those very gifts as something we have earned or had to work for? This could be your spouse, your children, your job, or any other significant aspect of your life.
Out of Grace
Saul forgot that kingship was bestowed on him purely out of grace, with no merit from his side. Let’s face it: from searching for his father’s donkey to being anointed King. How would you explain that – ‘Grace, Sheer Grace!’ Once you and I are invited into the Kingdom of God through the Sacrament of Baptism, henceforth everything that happens in your life and mine is grace; there is no boasting to be credited to our account. But sometimes, we tend to forget that, don’t we?
Saul fell for the same. Anger blinded him to recognizing that his kingship is a gift from God. Instead of rejoicing with the people of Israel on what the Lord has done through David, he stoops down to the level of guarding with his own might a gift given by God – his Kingship. Anger has given birth to envy, that is, being unable to rejoice at the goodness of the other person or the praise bestowed on the other. If you and I are on the same boat as Saul, it is time to run to the confessional before these vices take us down. Let’s face it: we live in this world where vices on all levels are celebrated, at the same time, let’s not forget our Lord’s warning in John 17:16 (They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world).
Vices and More
If we are not IN Christ, not only will we fall into all kinds of vices, we will also go into self-justification and self-protection mode, just as Saul did in today’s reading. The medicine to Saul’s attitude is in today’s responsorial Psalm 56: 10. In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, 11 in God I trust; I am not afraid. What can a mere mortal do to me? The minute I take my eyes off God, I will immediately take sole proprietorship of all things around me. I go into this protection mode at any cost, which is far from the will of God in our lives. God, our loving Father, has given us a New Year. Let’s refocus and get our eyes back on him. And, on his Divine Word (JESUS). Trust his goodness, knowing that he would not let anything be taken away that would hinder our path to reach him. He will certainly turn all things for our Good.
I pray Romans 8:28 on every brother and sister who is reading this reflection as you come to know your Father in Heaven more every single day and trust in His Divine Goodness . ‘We know that all things work together for good[a] for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.’ God bless you all!
Thanks Daniel for reinforcing for me that to trust and put everything in God’s hands, and not mine. A deeper and continous Trust in God, this is my desire for 2026. This is especially needed when I get fearful of what may happen to me and my family unas I watch the acceptance and use of cruel, hateful and unjust treatment of some targetted people in America. I pray more and try to trust more in a loving God who created everyone in His likeness. God’s grace is sufficient too which I am thankful.