In 2Samuel 6:12-19, David made a fool of himself in the eyes of his wife, Michal, Saul’s daughter. They were bringing the Ark of the Covenant into the city, and David was dancing, “whirling around before the Lord with all his might, wearing nothing but a linen loincloth.” Michal “despised him in her heart” and told him sarcastically: 

 “How the king of Israel honored himself today, showing himself half naked before the eyes of his servants’ maids, as if he were a nobody!” 

David answered, “I was dancing in the presence of the Lord who chose me… as prince over Israel, his people. I will do it again and humble myself even more.” 

There was a difference in awareness here. Michal was conscious of how David might look to other people. David thought only of how he looked to the Lord.  Michal was wrapped up in her own dignity, while David had thrown his off together with his clothes. Michal wanted David to be more aware of himself as king. David was aware that everything he had came from God. He was filled with gratitude and appreciation. He simply couldn’t say “Hallowed be thy Name” in a moderate tone of voice, standing still. 

If we let ourselves be aware of what God is, we will be impelled to express what we feel. If we do not express it, or express it only in ways that “damn with faint praise,” pretty soon we won’t feel it anymore. Michal was too self-conscious, instead of God-conscious, to “let go.” Her punishment (from God or from David?) was, “she had no child to the day of her death.” To give God’s life to others, we have to be so aware we are alive that it overflows. In self-expression. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord. To see it, we have to say it.  

Mark 3:31-35 continues Saturday’s account of how Jesus’ family thought he was “out of his mind” because he would not stop preaching, even to eat. Now the crowd tells him, “Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you.” To which Jesus replied, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 

And looking at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother! 

He was really carried away! But he meant it. 

If Mary had been like Michal, when Jesus finally did come in for supper, she would have told him: “I threw it away.  

Go get one of your other ‘brothers and sisters and mothers’ to feed you!” 

Mary might have said this anyway. After all, she was a real Jewish mother. But then she would have stuffed him full, because she shared his enthusiasm.  

If we are never so carried away that we “lose ourselves” in praising God, something is lacking in our awareness of who God is and how he has brought us into relationship with himself. And if we don’t let ourselves be carried away, we will never be fully aware of it. 

Prayer Prompt: Drop your reserves! Express physically what you feel about God. 

— Fr. David M. Knight

View today’s Mass readings, Lectionary #318, on the USCCB website here

Fr. David M. Knight (1931-2021) was a priest of the Diocese of Memphis in Tennessee, a prolific writer, and a highly sought after confessor, spiritual director, and retreat master. He authored more than 40 books and hundreds of articles that focus primarily on lay spirituality and life-long spiritual growth.