A Eulogy for David

Homily for Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

“I will now praise the godly, our ancestors, in their own time, the abounding glory of the Most High’s portion, his own part, since the days of old.” Thus begins chapter forty-four of the Book of Sirach. Chapters forty-four through fifty are some of the best poetry in the Bible and tell the stories of the heroes of the Bible. These chapters of the Scriptures, indeed the Book of Sirach itself, are not included in the Hebrew Scriptures and, thus, not in the Protestant Scriptures either. These stories are eulogies praising the patriarchs of the tribes of Israel.

Today we hear the eulogy written for King David who was neither the saintliest nor the most evil of the kings of Israel. David definitely had his faults. However, what sets David head and shoulders over the other kings of Israel is his focus on his relationship with God. That relationship allowed David to perform some mighty deeds on God’s behalf, to turn to God in sorrow and contrition when he sinned, and to praise God continually with song and dance.

Contrast this picture with that of King Herod whom we meet in the Gospel passage for today. Herod was attracted to both John the Baptist and to Jesus. We see that in his fascination with them. However, because he focused on his relationship to other people – trying to please his courtiers, his wife’s daughter, and his wife – rather than on his relationship with God, he ended up ordering the unjust murder of John the Baptist.

David was not without sin, and Herod was not without at least an attraction to goodness. The difference between them lay in the focus of their lives and where they placed their hearts and their priorities. David was oriented toward God and was able to do God’s work and to turn to God for forgiveness after sin. Herod completely ignored his own inclinations to the good – to God – in favor of pleasing others.

Contemporary society is filled with both kinds of people. We have our heroes and our villains. As we listen to the Scriptures today, we are being called to orient ourselves toward the good, toward God. Our culture might distract us and lead us to sin. However, if we follow David’s example, we will always find our way back to God. The Eucharist provides us with the best way to facilitate that orientation.