3rd Week in Ordinary Time (II) : Saturday 31st January 2026

David has committed adultery with Bathsheba, and is complicit in her husband’s death. As a result, God’s judgement comes upon him. The prophet Nathan, who once brought him the promise that the Davidic kingdom would last forever, is now sent by God to confront David.

Nathan begins by telling David a parable. It is about a poor man’s (Uriah) lamb (Bathsheba) that he deeply loved, but which is cruelly appropriated by a rich man (David). As a result of the rich man’s action, the poor man loses the one thing in his life that brought him happiness. When David reacts to the actions of the rich man in the story, Nathan speaks out against David, pointing out the latter’s sins. Nathan prophesies that as a result of David’s sin, a sword hangs upon his house.

In the years following the death of David, the kingdom that is meant to last forever falls apart and declines as a result of internal conflict, betrayal and division. But it never really comes to an end. A future king, descended from David, will restore the Davidic kingdom. Many centuries later, as foretold by the prophets, the promised deliverer, the Messiah, a descendent of David, appears. His reign is unique, and His authority so wide and powerful, that even the forces of nature obey Him. His name is Jesus and He reigns forever!

PRAYER:  Jesus, reign in my heart forever.