12th January 2024. Friday. 1 Sam. 8:4-7, 10-22/ ps. 89/ Mk. 2:1-12.
– There is an Akan saying which says “me nya wo ay3 y3 musuo “. To wit “it is always dangerous to wish to be like others”.
– the elders of Israel come to meet Samuel today at Ramah to place a request for a human king. God had been their king throughout their journey. They come to see the political arrangements of the Canaanites and they wish to be like them. They could have cunningly used the bad behavior of the sons of Samuel as a reason why they needed a king. However, they tell Samuel point blank that “we want to be like the other nations”. Even after Samuel had informed them and taught them the demands of a human king, they still stood obdurate in their decision to get a human king and be like the other nations. They would not accept their identity as a chosen race. They thought they knew better than God.
– Precious one, sometimes, we all act like the elders of Israel in today’s first reading. We do not value how God made us and the special gift He has given to us. We wish to be like other people and even imitate them and thus lose our special identity. This gradually lead to envying those we wish to be like. But sometimes, the beautiful green grass you see far away so happens to be an artificial grass. Yours maybe natural and the weather may have a telling on it. What you need to do is to keep on watering it.
– have you forgotten where you come from, where you are and where you are going? Are you aware of your Christian identity? So why do you still want to be like other people? Why do you want to lose your identity just to attract some few applause from men? There is no one in this world like you. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are afraid to be you because you are powerful beyond measure. Do not lose this special identity for anything. God knows why He made you as you are. Pray to become a better version of yourself and never to become like others. There is only one person to imitate. His name is Jesus Christ. God bless you.
Rev. Fr. Raphael Acquah
