The first reading tells us about Saul’s jealousy following public adulation for David’s victory over Goliath and Jonathan’s intercession to sway Saul from his plan to kill David. The Psalm is a song of praise and faith in God’s protection against the harm and tyranny faced by oppressed people. In the Gospel proclamation, we learn about the Ministry of Our Lord Jesus Christ to such a great number of people that He had to go on a boat to avoid being physically swamped by the great throng. They came from distant places and tried to touch him because of their faith in his power to heal them from their sicknesses and for exorcism of evil spirits and He did not disappoint them. The evil spirits openly acknowledged his divinity but Jesus ordered them not to publicize that fact presumably because He did not seek fame. Jonathan’s intercession saved David for a while, but the supreme self-sacrifice of Jesus has saved all humanity for all time.

Prayer: Abba, Father, imbue us with faith to trust in your steadfast and unconditional love as a beacon in our lives.