Seeds for the future

The text in the Roman Catholic Lectionarytoday from the Book of Samuel tells of the adultery of King David with Bathsheba and the plan executed at David’s command to kill Uriah the Hittite, husband of Bathsheba, in an attempt to cover up the pregnancy which resulted from his transgression. The psalm today is a portion of Psalm 51, which is a deep and moving prayer for forgiveness and reconciliation. Bob Deffinbaugh writes a teaching on the events in 2 Samuel 11 and he suggests that our contemplation of great sin and the forgiveness of God should include the understanding of the likelihood that there was a relationship of friends between David and Uriah and that Uriah knew about the indiscretion of David with Bathsheba. Friar Jude Winkler comments that Uriah the Hittite is more observant of Jewish law and certainly more loyal than the one anointed by God to be King. Certainly believers are capable of great sin. The seed of sin can be more sin. When we are able to form the attitude expressed by the sinner in Psalm 51, we have begun our path to being able to accept mercy, forgiveness and reconciliation with God.  The Gospel from Mark today looks at the growth that comes from the seed of mercy, love, trust and forgiveness which we can extend to others. We sow this seed without guarantees that we will see or understand the fruits of our efforts. Maryanne Rouse of Creighton University tells of the some of the fruit which is present today in the ongoing work of the Salesian Society, founded by 19^th century Father Don Bosco, who is remembered as Saint Don Bosco in the liturgy today.