Good morning, good people. May the Lord bless you with peace and good health.  

It is 22nd January 2024.  We reflect on 2 Samuel 5:1-7, 10 and Mark 3:22-30. 

Anyone who opposes peace and unity is the enemy of God. 

A leader comes by force and goes by violence and revenge. If anyone is brought as a leader by God, they spread peace and bring unity. Many of us aspire to be leaders for our selfish motives and plans.  Anyone who has the power and the way to convince a group of people that a lot of promotions are promised can become a leader. 

We may convince a group or a bunch of people to climb and grab the power. Yet, if God is not in favor of this power capturing, the leader is going to be replaced soon without the blessings of God and the support of the people. 

The episode in the first reading clearly shares the departure and death of a king who was rejected by God.  Anyone who opposes peace and unity is the enemy of God. 

Bringing everyone on board is the success of leadership.  

No one can lead impartially without the anointing and assistance of the Holy Spirit. King David was anointed a king by God for the people.  A leader needs to work with and bring together all tribes, colors, races, and any other differences among people to have an honest and unprejudiced dialogue and deliberation. David united two kingdoms and made Jerusalem the capital.  Bringing everyone on board is the success of leadership.  If someone has chased a particular person or a racial group and grabbed position, his end is inevitable and his leadership frustrating. 

Once a common enemy is removed, they engage now in division and hatred among themselves. “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.” (Mk.3:24). 

When the members of a group, an institution, or a congregation are settled in separation, division, and self-contained behaviors, the group is digging its own grave. 

Hatred towards the other in any form is evil and it is against God’s plan of unity and freedom. 

When members are distanced from each other, the impact is division.  But when God blesses a leader like David, God blesses the leader with abundance and blessings.  “David grew greater and greater, and the Lord, the God of hosts, was with him.” (2 Sam.5:10). 

The responsorial Psalm praises, “My truth and my love shall be with him.” (Ps.88:25). 

The Gospel invites us to be united in peace.  

Divided we fall, united we stand.  Promoting bitterness and accusations for capturing power is satanic and selfish. 

Silencing, resisting, and repressing the Holy Spirit in the quest for a leader has grave and profound impact on the person and the entire group. 

We all have a moral duty to promote unity and peace in building up common pillars of hope and harmony and to give up selfish ambitions using the corridors of the Church and community. 

May you have a good day.  

God bless you.