2 Sam 24:2, 9-17 / Mark 6:1-6
During those times when we were going through some crisis or turmoil or distress, how we longed for peace and security.
And if we could recall those times, as much as there were suffering and unrest, those were also the times when our prayer was most sincere and we hung on to our faith.
Yet, when the storm has subsided and there is peace and calm again, we may have noticed how slack and complacent we have become, especially in prayer and in faith in God.
In the 1st reading, David did a census of the people. He actually wanted to know the strength of his army.
David, with the help of God, had already subdued all his surrounding enemies and Israel was the greatest power in the region at that time.
But it now seemed that he wanted to flaunt the might and splendour of his kingdom, and hence, he called for a census of the population so that he can have some numbers to show off.
It was certainly not an act of faith, nor a fruit of sincere prayer, and it even incurred the wrath of God and David was punished for it.
In the gospel, the people of Nazareth also seemed rather smug and complacent. Even though they were under foreign occupation, life was going on as usual, other than the complaints here and there.
They don't seem to need to hear any messages from God, and not especially when it was from one of their own kind. Jesus was amazed at their lack of faith.
May we put our faith in the Lord in bad time, and in good times may we ask the Lord to strengthen our faith to meet the challenges of the future.