Daily reflection _ yearning for kingship

YEARNING FOR KINGSHIP
The Lord Jesus is always there to fulfill our every need as we journey through this life.  
Deacon John Ruscheinsky
Part of the human condition is to be dissatisfied with the present circumstances. We are always looking for something better to come up, to be like those who seem to be well off in life. The Israelites were dissatisfied that they did not have a king. They wanted to be like the nations around them, and they thought a king could unify them in their struggles against their enemies, especially the Philistines.
Samuel disagreed. He warned the people that a king could usurp their rights, take over their possessions, and oblige them to be at his service. Deep within himself, Samuel had an even stronger objection. He saw a monarchy in Israel as a contradiction. God alone was the King of Israel. The people were, nonetheless, so persistent that God allowed them to have a king, but with the understanding that he would be a representative of God.
We need to ask ourselves what kind of a king or leader we want in our own lives. The Israelites were looking for someone who would insure safety and security. Do we want someone who can safeguard us against sin, which alone can ultimately destroy us? Do we want someone who can give us everlasting security and eternal life?
In today's Gospel we hear about healing and forgiveness! Jesus is the remedy for each of us in our human weakness. When someone physically challenged was brought to Jesus because of the faith of his friends, Jesus did the unthinkable; He first forgave the man his sins. The scribes regarded this as blasphemy because they understood that only God has the authority to forgive sins and to unbind a man from his burden of guilt. Jesus claimed an authority that came from God and He showed the power of God's redeeming love and mercy by healing the cripple of his physical ailment. This man had been crippled not only physically, but spiritually as well. Jesus freed him from his burden of guilt and restored his body, too. The Lord Jesus is always there to fulfill our every need as we journey through this life. Forgiveness and healing, brought together, proclaims God's desire and intention to restore wholeness to every dimension of our lives.
Jesus filled the yearnings for kingship in Israel in a way which the people of that time could not imagine. God is our true King. We must make Him the center, yes, the center of our lives and our hearts. Mark's Gospel tells us that Jesus heals the paralyzed man, something that can be proven to be true. When He does this He deepens our trust that His forgiveness is the only way we can have true peace. Like the Psalmist, you and I can proclaim, "Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord" (Ps 89:2).