Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish

FR MICHAEL BOAKYE YEBOAH

CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF KUMASI, GHANA.

FROM BIRTH 

            Some people cannot change their birth situations unless God intervenes. At birth we are assigned certain positions. For some are blessed with good birth positions while others  continue to ask the question, “Why me and this situation?” If one finds him or herself at the blissful side of life then blessed be the person, but if not then the person ought to pray for divine intervention. I would like to think that such was the situation of the young shepherd boy David and the man born blind in today’s Gospel passage.

            What did David do wrong for him to be sent to the wild to tend the family’s flock? This was purely “child labor.” A father of a household can make a case to involve his child in “adult’s labor” if all his children are young but it is very difficult to make a case for Jesse. Jesse had seven well-built strong men and so what was his reason for sending the young David to the wild to tend flock?

            My first impression any time I read the story is that Jesse did not treat his last born fairly at all. Aren’t all of us aware that the last born are treated like princes and princesses? David’s jolly jolly place in the family was denied him and he was sent to the wild. The sad thing is that when Samuel arrived in Jesse’s house, David was not counted as one of the sons of Jesse. He was only remembered when all the seven sons failed the vetting to be king. Even with that the request was made with Samuel’s insistence.

            Many children are like David suffering silently in homes. It is not the fault of some of these children because they did not ask for their situations. They were born into them. That is why we will continue to make it our prayer that as God intervened in the case of David, he should listen to the prayers of hundreds of children who find themselves in similar situations.

            I would like to use this reflection to improve the living conditions of step-children. At times the treatment that is meted out to some of these children is not only unchristian but criminal. As Christians we should learn to treat step-children like we treat our own kids. If you find yourself in a situation that you can offer help to some of these children, please do offer a helping hand.

            Some of these children may have humble beginnings, but like David, the destiny of kingship lies in that humble beginning.

            I would like to encourage an orphan or a step-child not to give up easily and quickly because help is on the way coming. Your heavenly Father who sees everything, is about to send his messenger to your location. David may have thought that he was a forgotten person and may spend his days and years in the wild tending flock but that day when Samuel came calling, God’s favors shone on him.

            One’s birth situation should not be seen as his/her single life’s story. Every story begins somewhere and develops and ends somewhere. Do not tell your story only with the version of where your life begun from because God’s visitation is not far away from you. We serve a God who picks people up from ashes and put them on the throne of princes and princesses. The Davidic story, can also be your story – please keep faith with God for you have not been forgotten.

            Another birth situation I would like us to reflect on has to do with those born with health challenges. Many people are born with health challenges. John Chapter Nine is always a moving story to read. When Jesus met the man born blind, people in his neighbourhood gave some reasons behind his blindness but chief among the reasons was that probably his parents committed a sin and God may have punished them with the blindness of their child. My heart and mind can handle children who find themselves in situations like David’s but I cannot handle children born with permanent health challenges or children born with terminal diseases. As a priest a place I find it difficult to visit, is a hospital ward for children with terminal diseases. My heart is full of sorrow for parents who need to care for their disabled children. I pray that God may bring his healing blessings to children who are suffering from health challenges.

            Before I conclude, I would like to encourage you to be charitable to children in need especially the ones born with some life challenges. When it comes to charity, we are used to the “someone else will do it syndrome.” That someone can be you. Please try and help lift someone from his/her “birth challenge.” OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP PRAY FOR US.