January 30th, 2004, Tuesday of the fourth week in ordinary time.

A reading from the second book of Samuel.

Absalom unexpectedly came up against David's servants.

He was mounted on a mule, and as the mule passed under the branches of a large terribanth,

his hair caught fast in the tree.

He hung between heaven and earth, while the mule he had been riding ran off.

Someone saw this and reported to Joab that he had seen Absalom hanging from a

terribanth, and taking three pikes in hand, he thrust for the heart of Absalom, still hanging from the tree

alive.

Now David was sitting between the two gates,

and a lookout went up to the roof of the gate above the city wall,

where he looked about and saw a man running all alone.

The lookout shouted to inform the king,

who said,

If he is alone, he has good news to report.

The king said,

Step aside and remain in attendance here. So he stepped aside and remained there.

When the Kushite messenger came in, he said,

Let my lord the king receive the good news,

that this day the Lord has taken your part, freeing you from the grasp of all who rebelled against

you.

But the king asked the Kushite, is young Absalom safe?

...