Other comments on this day's readings can be found here.
Reading 1 - Jdg 14:14
"[Samson] replied, 'Out of the eater, something to eat; out of
the strong, something sweet.' For three days they could not give the answer"
(Jdg 14:14).
Death and Sheol -- the grave -- this is the "strong lion"
which "devours" all men. As with Samson's riddle, so with the reality of Jesus'
death and burial: for three full days its meaning was not understood. But after
those three days, with the resurrection of God's Son, there came from the tomb
"food" for all men, and the "sweetness" of a renewed life. "Out of weakness...
made strong" (Heb 11:34) is one of the identification marks of the men and women
of faith.
Compare also Jdg 16:30: Christ, being typical of Samson,
destroyed more in his death than in his life -- for he destroyed "him that had
the power of death" (Heb 2:14), and thereby brought life out of death.
Reading 2 - Isa 38:12
"Like a shepherd's tent my house has been pulled down and
taken from me" (Isa 38:12).
The proverbial symbol of a temporary, fleeting abode. Here is
graphically portrayed the shadowy uncertainty of this life; we are but pitching
our tents for a short span in the "valley of the shadow of death". This body of
death, the earthly "house" or "tabernacle" (2Co 5:1,4; 2Pe 1:13,14), is destined
soon to vanish away. "The things which are seen are temporal." We all know we
must die; we know technically what death means. But do we really comprehend the
irresistible pull of death, which waits for each of us, to draw us inexorably
into the grasp of the grave? If we could only keep in mind the pitiful little we
have in this life, and the exceedingly brief time we have to enjoy it, we would
have no trouble trusting in our Heavenly Father alone and "redeeming the
time."
Reading 3 - 2Pe 1:5-7
"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith
goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to
self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness,
brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love" (2Pe 1:5-7).
Add to your faith the virtue of Joseph; and to virtue the
knowledge of Solomon; and to knowledge the temperance of Samuel; and to
temperance the patience of Job; and to patience the godliness of Daniel; and to
godliness the brotherly kindness of Jonathan, and to brotherly kindness the
charity ('agape' = love) of John.