If only …

In today’s reflection on the daily mass readings, Fr Richard considers the things that we wish for and desire in life. What things will lead to lasting fulfilment, and what won’t?

Readings for Friday of the first week of ordinary time: 1 Samuel 8.4-7, 10-22; Psalm 89.16-17, 18-19; Mark 2.1-12. Text of readings can be found here.

Over 100 years ago, Communists took power in Russia as a result of the October 1917 revolution. For many who took part in that uprising, it had been a case of “if only…” – “If only we can get rid of the Tsar and the class system, life will be so much better”. In modern times, people often think “if only we can change the government; if only we can replace our voting system; if only we can abolish the monarchy and have a republic” then all our problems will be solved. The concept of “if only” doesn’t just apply to politics, of course. The football fan might think “if only we had a new manager…”. And in our personal lives, it’s often a case of “if only I can get a promotion, move to a nicer area, leave this relationship”, then all will be well.

The people of Israel are going down the road of “if only” in our first reading. For them, it was a case of “if only we can have a king like other nations, then we can defeat our enemies”. Samuel, the great leader of the people, warns them of the dangers of a monarchy, but they insist. For God, the people’s demand was a rejection of his kingship as they put their trust in earthly rulers. Subsequent centuries would prove Samuel right, as Israel’s kings proved to be sinful, or corrupt, or tyrannical, or all of those and more besides. Ultimately the monarchy and the nation would end in ruin.

There’s an “if only” at work in the Gospel, but of a very different sort. For the paralysed man and his friends, it’s a case of “if only we can get close to Jesus”, and they go to extraordinary lengths to make this happen. The man is rewarded with both healing and forgiveness. Ultimately, this is the one “if only” that counts. May we always be saying “if only I can be near Jesus; if only I can spend time with him in prayer; if only I can serve him in the poor and needy”. For that is where true salvation lies.

Mass today is in St Saviour’s at 10am.

If you’d like more resources for daily prayer then check out our Day By Day pages.