The first reading from the First Book of Samuel tells us of the jealousy that has taken hold of Saul which leads him to plot the death of David.
What Saul and perhaps many of us fail to realize is that our true identity comes not from popularity or from the praise of other people. Our identity comes ultimately from God, who created us, gives us life and provides us the gifts and opportunities to succeed in this life. When we know that we belong to God and that we are God’s creation, that God loves us, and that God calls us to use our gifts for others, we can each stand firm in our identity as a child of God.
We see this truth demonstrated in the Gospel. Jesus, fully seen in this passage by the unclean spirits in his identity as the Son of God, does not seek the praises of the crowd, and even shuns the testimony of the unclean spirits. Jesus allows God to work through him so completely that just his touch can bring healing and peace to another. Jesus’ identity as Son flows from the Father, and he places himself in perfect service to Him
Our identity flows from God as well and is most fully and perfectly realized when we place ourselves in service to God and one another. Nothing else really matters. Nothing that we earn, accomplish, gain, produce, invent or sell will mean a thing at the last judgment unless and except it was done in service to God. We pray today that we will grow stronger in our identity of service to God and to our neighbor.
Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator