Turning

Saul or David? Which one are you?

When Tom and I were in our 20s, we attended a church with a gifted preacher. Back then, we could obtain cassette tape recordings of the sermons. There was a particular sermon that Tom and I loved. Tom had parts of it memorized and would recite it in the voice of the preacher from time to time to encourage both of us.

“Saul or David? Which one are you?”

Both men were chosen by God and anointed king of Israel. Both sinned in grievous ways. Saul was overcome with fear of losing public support so he ignored God and chose his own way, trying to justify his actions and insinuating he knew better than God. David was morally weak and allowed his sinful desires to rule even to the point of murder.

But there was a major difference between the two. One man turned his face toward God. The simple act of turning to God is what made the difference. He accepted the truth—as hard as it was—that he was a murderer and a morally weak and corrupt man. He acknowledged that the One he offended most was God. He turned his face to the Light. To Truth. To Goodness and Mercy. And his life was restored.

So, both were great men with great sins. But one man turned his face to God. I hear the preacher asking, “Which one are you?”

I often think about this in terms of life’s circumstances. When all hell breaks loose or when an obstacle trips us up. When we are hurt, confused, numb, or angry. Are we like Saul or David? It isn’t that one man is better, it is that one man turns. One man turns to the God of Light. The God who hears. The God who knows. The God who delivers.

There are so many situations in which the best move is to cry out in my heart a one-word prayer. “Help.” Or “Jesus!”

The Catholic Catechism says, “The invocation of the holy name of Jesus is the simplest way of praying always.” And my favorite line in the Catechism, because of its truth, is this: “Jesus’ name invokes the presence of the One who is named.”

(CCC 2666 and 2668)

My mom always told us girls that if ever we were in danger we could just speak the name of Jesus and the darkness would have to flee. Not like a magic incantation, but the presence of Jesus is powerful. He is the Savior of the world.

I remember my atheist roommate in college telling me she had such horrible nightmares that she was afraid to go to sleep. Though she was not a believer, I shared my mother’s advice and asked her to try it one night and see what happens. So that night she whispered the name of Jesus as she lay in bed. The next morning she was amazed that she had not had any nightmares. I was equally amazed.

When in trouble, or in sin, or in fear, it is always within our power to turn toward the Light. Life may be hard—very hard. But our part isn’t really that hard. It involves humility, faith and trust.

That sermon was a good one. I just have to be reminded from time to time.

It’s so easy to forget.