Daily Meditation - Thursday 24th. Jan 2008 - A DESTRUCTIVE FORCE: TAKING SIN FOR GRANTED

[BarbaraTherese]

DAILY MASS READINGS
usccb.org/nab/012408.shtml

Further Reflection
Thursday: 24 January 2008 - Mark 3,7-12

My comment: Sin is a destructive force for sure, but I think it needs to be qualified in that those sins which we struggle against - even perhaps without any success can loose that destructive force, as long as we are really struggling against it. At least loose the destructive force to its full potential. Sin is not only destructive on a supernatural level, it can have destructive force in our daily living on a human level as Saul eventually found out sadly. The punishment of sin, the suffering and loss it brings in its wake is not something that God imposes as a result of the sin…rather sin itself has inbuilt destruction - it is an inherant part of the sin. When I choose sin, I also choose its implications which is intrinsic to the sin itself.
Your comment…Please do feel free to make your own comments or share your thoughts, inspirations in these Daily Meditation threads.

Meditation
wau.org/meditations/meditations.asp?month=01&day=24&year=2008&x=7&y=3

Saul was a man with both strengths and weaknesses. As Israel’s first king, chosen by God and anointed by the prophet Samuel, he certainly enjoyed the favor of God and received divine strength for his mission. A tall man, marked with dignity above his fellow Israelites, he had personal courage and charisma. He was a natural leader, and he began his reign with great promise and potential.

Yet Saul’s adult life was marked by two tragic flaws: jealousy and disobedience. Today’s reading highlights the jealous streak in his character. The fact that David—a mere servant—was receiving greater acclamation than Saul himself drove the king to consider David a rival and contemplate killing him. Even though Saul’s son, Jonathan, was able to temporarily persuade Saul not to harm David, Scripture tells us that his jealousy of David did not end. On numerous occasions later on, Saul did try to kill David, forcing the young man to flee from him.
As if this weren’t enough, Saul also exhibited a pattern of disobedience toward God. After he won a particularly fierce battle against the Amalekites, Saul disregarded Samuel’s directions and offered an unlawful sacrifice to Yahweh
(1 Samuel 13:8-10). He also spared the Amalekites’ king and the best of the people’s cattle, in direct disobedience to God’s will (15:7-9). Finally, against God’s law, Saul consulted a pagan soothsayer to seek direction instead of asking God for guidance (28:4-25). On the next day, Saul was critically wounded in battle and, in despair, took his own life (31:3-6).

Don’t make the same mistake of underestimating the destructive potential of sin!It’s because Saul let failings like jealousy and disobedience grow and fester in him that he met with such a tragic death.

Perhaps you are struggling with some flaws in your own life. Rather than allowing them to grow, turn to Jesus for healing and strength. Let him set you free to receive his love and to love other people in return.

Don’t give up on God. He hasn’t given up on you.

Even now, he promises that he can change anyone who turns to him.
“Lord Jesus, heal my heart and mind of every hurtful situation and jealous thought. Let your love and compassion restore my soul.”