First Reading (1 Samuel 15:16-23)
Reading from the First Book of Samuel.
In those days, Samuel said to Saul, “Enough! Let me tell you what the Lord revealed to me tonight.” Saul said, “Speak!” Then Samuel began, “Though you may see yourself as insignificant in your own eyes, are you not the leader of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you as king over Israel and sent you on an expedition with the order to eliminate the Amalekites, those evildoers, fighting until they were exterminated. Why did you not heed the voice of the Lord and hastily seize the spoils, doing what displeases the Lord?”
Saul replied to Samuel, “But I obeyed the Lord! I carried out the expedition he sent me on. I brought Agag, the king of Amalek, here, and I exterminated the Amalekites. As for the spoils, the people kept the best of the sheep and cattle, which were to be eliminated, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.” But Samuel retorted, “Does the Lord desire burnt offerings and sacrifices, or does he prefer obedience to his word? Obedience is better than sacrifice, compliance more than offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is like the sin of divination, stubbornness like the crime of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”
– The word of the Lord.
– Thanks be to God.
Gospel (Mk 2:18-22)
— Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark.
— Glory to you, Lord.
At that time, the disciples of John the Baptist and the Pharisees were fasting. They came to Jesus and said, “Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus replied, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as the bridegroom is with them, they cannot fast. But the time will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins—and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins.”
— The Gospel of the Lord.
— Praise to you, Lord.
Refletindo a Palavra de Deus
Dear brothers,
Today, I would like to begin our reflection with a question: How do you deal with the changes and challenges that arise in your life? We all face moments of transition, situations that lead us to reconsider our perspectives and adapt to new realities. In these moments, we are often confronted with the need to leave behind the old and embrace the new.
The biblical passages we heard today invite us to reflect on this dynamic of change and transformation. In the First Reading, we find the prophet Samuel confronting King Saul for his disobedience to God. Samuel reminds Saul of how God chose him as king and blessed him with victories and success. However, Saul failed to fully obey God’s commands, disobeying His will.
Samuel says to Saul: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord’s voice? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22). These powerful words resonate in our hearts today, inviting us to reflect on the importance of obedience and alignment with God’s will in our lives.
In our Gospel, Jesus also challenges us to reconsider our approach to religion and spirituality. He is questioned by the disciples of John the Baptist and the Pharisees about the practice of fasting. Jesus responds with a powerful metaphor: “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast” (Mark 2:19).
Jesus is telling us that He is the bridegroom, and as long as He is present, there is no need for fasting. He is ushering in a new era, bringing the fullness of God’s grace and love. It is a time of joy and celebration. But Jesus continues His metaphor, saying: “But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast” (Mark 2:20).
Jesus reminds us that there will be moments when we face challenges, times when the joy and presence of God may seem distant. These will be times of spiritual fasting, intensified seeking, and devotion. He invites us to be prepared for these moments, to cultivate a spirituality that is flexible and capable of adapting to the different seasons of our lives.
As we reflect on these passages, we realize a common theme: the need to leave behind the old and embrace the new. Saul was confronted with the need to fully obey God and abandon his disobedience. The disciples of Jesus were challenged to rethink their religious practices and adapt to the new reality brought by Jesus.
And we, dear brothers, in what areas of our lives do we need to leave behind the old and embrace the new? Perhaps it’s a harmful habit that hinders our spiritual growth. Maybe it’s a toxic relationship that we need to leave behind. It could be a limiting mindset that prevents us from experiencing the fullness of life in God.
Today, I invite each of you to reflect on these areas of your life and seek God’s guidance. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what we need to leave behind and empower us to embrace the new. And let’s remember that this journey of transformation is not easy. It requires courage, faith, and practical action.
As a community of faith, we are here to support each other on this journey. Let us encourage one another to take steps of faith, to leave the old and embrace the new. Let’s come together to share our transformation stories, challenging and inspiring one another.
To emphasize this central message, I want to highlight some stories from the Christian tradition that illustrate the importance of leaving behind the old and embracing the new. Remember the story of Saint Paul, who initially persecuted Jesus’ followers but later experienced a radical transformation, becoming one of the greatest apostles. His story shows us that no matter how far we may be from God, there is always room for a new life in Christ.
Another powerful story is that of Saint Augustine, who lived a life of worldly pleasures until his mother, Saint Monica, interceded for him, and God’s call reached him. Augustine left his old way of life and completely surrendered to God, becoming one of the most influential theologians in the history of the Church.
These stories remind us that God is always ready to welcome us with open arms, regardless of our past mistakes or how much time we may have lost. He invites us to leave the old and embrace the new life He offers us in Christ.
But how can we apply these principles in our daily lives? Here are some practical guidelines:
First, we need to be willing to examine our lives in prayer and ask God to reveal areas where we need to change. This requires humility and a willingness to listen to God’s voice.
Second, let’s seek the support of the faith community. We cannot walk this path alone. Let’s find trustworthy people with whom we can share our struggles and successes, who can encourage us and hold us accountable.
Third, let’s commit to regular spiritual practice. This may include daily prayer, reading God’s Word, participating in sacraments, and serving others. These practices help us keep our hearts and minds connected to God and cultivate a vibrant spirituality.
Finally, let’s remember that the journey of leaving behind the old and embracing the new is an ongoing one. It’s not something that happens overnight. It’s a process of growth and transformation that lasts a lifetime. Let’s be willing to persevere, trusting in God’s grace and the strength of the Holy Spirit.
Dear brothers, as I conclude this homily, I want to remind you of the divine grace, love, and hope that are available to each of us. Let’s be brave enough to leave behind the old, knowing that God has something new and wonderful reserved for us. May our lives be living witnesses to the transformation that God performs in us.
Let’s pray together:
Dear God, thank you for your faithfulness and unconditional love for us. We ask for your guidance and strength to leave behind the old and embrace the new. Give us the courage to change, the humility to recognize our weaknesses, and confidence in your transforming grace. Empower us to live according to your will every day of our lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.
May God bless you abundantly and guide you on your journey of transformation. Amen!
