1 Sam 17:32-33, 37, 40-51 / Mark 3:1-6
In any situation, the outcome depends on the decision of the leader.
Whether his decision is correct or not, a decision must be made and the decision will be proven by the outcome.
In the 1st reading, the battle between David and Goliath depended on a decision that was made by king Saul.
Saul had told David that he cannot go and fight that giant Philistine because David was only a boy and Goliath had been a warrior from his youth.
But when David said that the Lord who rescued him from the claws of lion and bear will rescue him from the power of the Philistine, Saul relented.
And from that decision, came this great inspiring story of David and Goliath, which is often used as an example for overcoming overwhelming odds.
As a leader, Saul was not too proud to change his views or obstinate in his opinions.
To be obstinate is to stubbornly refuse to change one's opinion or chosen course of action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so.
In the gospel, the people were watching Jesus to see if He would cure the man with the withered man on the Sabbath.
And when Jesus asked them if it is against the law on the Sabbath day to do good or evil, to save life or to kill, they said nothing.
It grieved Jesus to find them so obstinate. The people were just so bent and crooked in their opinion and views about Jesus that they can't see anything else.
We too have our views and opinions about persons, but let us ask the Lord Jesus to open hearts so that we can open our eyes too.
May we never be too proud of our views and too obstinate in our opinions.