All this multitude, too, shall learn that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves. For the battle belongs to the LORD, who shall deliver you into our hands.” The Philistine then moved to meet David at close quarters, while David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. David put his hand into the bag and took out a stone, hurled it with the sling, and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone embedded itself in his brow, and he fell on his face to the ground.
1 Samuel 17: 47-49
To teach calculus to a classroom of 1st graders would be foolish. Should any 1st grader decide they’ve learned all there is of math after their multiplication table they too would be foolish. To teach the full story of David and Goliath to a 1st grader would be foolish. Yet how often do individuals assume they’ve learned all of the faith after they’ve reached the 1st. grade. I remember being astonished while re-reading David and Goliath in High School. It had been a favorite story of my childhood. The underdog who stands up to the bully was a lot more dynamic than I had realized. This certainly isn’t a children’s bedtime story with a soft ending.
If the last time that this history of our people was taught to you was 1st grade then I invite you to graduate into a more advanced course on the scriptures. Have the courage to leave “multiplication tables” of the faith behind. Turn to resources like Formed.Org or Gulfcoastcatholic.org , find out if your parish is doing any bible studies.
How might I grow in my intellectual understanding of the faith in this new year?
Father, enlighten my mind that I might come to know you more.
Today’s Reflection is by:
Fr. Chuck Dornquast
Did you know…
Fr. Chuck Dornquast is a son of St. Joseph Parish in Zephyrhills. After graduating from Zephyrhills High School he entered the seminary where he would spend the next 9 years. While in seminary he spent time at many of our diocesan parishes and discovered more and more the heart of Christ the High Priest within him. After ordination, he spent his first 4 years of priesthood as the associate pastor of St. Lawrence in Tampa. He currently serves the Diocese of St. Petersburg as the Director of Vocations.
