Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 20, 2018
First Reading: 2 Samuel 1.1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27
1Now it happened that, after Saul died, David returned from the slaughter of Amalek, and he remained for two days at Ziklag2Then, on the third day, a man appeared, arriving from the camp of Saul, with his garments torn and dust sprinkled on his head. And when he came to David, he fell on his face, and he reverenced3And David said to him, "Where have you come from?" And he said to him, "I have fled from the camp of Israel.4And David said to him: "What is the word that has happened? Reveal it to me." And he said: "The people have fled from the battle, and many of the people have fallen and died. Moreover, Saul and his son Jonathan have passed away.11Then David, taking hold of his garments, tore them, with all the men who were with him12And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until evening, over Saul and over his son Jonathan, and over the people of the Lord and over the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword19The illustrious of Israel have been killed upon your mountains. How could the valiant have fallen23Saul and Jonathan, worthy to be loved, and stately in their life: even in death they were not divided. They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions24O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you with scarlet finery, who offered ornaments of gold for your adornment25How could the valiant have fallen in battle? How could Jonathan have been slain on the heights26I grieve over you, my brother Jonathan: exceedingly stately, and worthy to be loved above the love of women. As a mother loves her only son, so also did I love you27How could the robust have fallen, and the weapons of war have perished?
Psalm 80
1Unto the end. For those who will be changed. The testimony of Asaph. A Psalm. The One who reigns over Israel: Be attentive. For you lead Joseph like a sheep. The One who sits upon the cherubim: Shine fort2in the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh. Awaken your power and draw near, so as to accomplish our salvation3Convert us, O God. And reveal your face, and we will be saved4O Lord, God of hosts, how long will you be angry over the prayer of your servant5How long will you feed us the bread of tears, and give us to drink a full measure of tears6You have set us as a contradiction to our neighbors. And our enemies have ridiculed us7O God of hosts, convert us. And reveal your face, and we will be saved8You have transferred a vineyard from Egypt. You have cast out the Gentiles, and planted it9You were the leader of the journey in its sight. You planted its roots, and it filled the earth10Its shadow covered the hills, and its branches covered the cedars of God11It extended its new branches even to the sea, and its new seedlings even to the river12So then, why have you destroyed its walls, so that all those who pass by the way gather its grapes13The wild boar of the forest has trampled it, and a single wild beast has laid waste to it14Turn back, O God of hosts. Look down from heaven, and see, and visit this vineyard15and complete what your right hand has planted, and look upon the son of man, whom you have confirmed for yourself16Whatever has been set on fire and dug under will perish at the rebuke of your countenance17Let your hand be over the man on your right, and over the son of man, whom you have confirmed for yourself18For we do not depart from you, and you will revive us. And we will invoke your name19O Lord, God of hosts, convert us. And reveal your face, and we will be saved
Gospel: Mark 3.20-21
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on loyalty, sacrifice, and the challenges of following God’s will. The first reading from 2 Samuel presents David’s heartfelt lament over the death of King Saul and his son Jonathan. Despite Saul’s relentless pursuit of David, which had driven him into exile, David’s response is not one of triumph or relief but of profound grief. He tears his garments, weeps, and fasts, mourning not just the loss of a king but also the loss of a friend and brother. David’s lament is a testament to his deep humanity and his unwavering loyalty, even in the face of adversity. His words, “How could the valiant have fallen,” echo the universal human sorrow over the fragility of life and the fallenness of the world.
The Gospel reading from Mark shifts our focus to Jesus, who is surrounded by a crowd so large that he and his disciples cannot even eat. When Jesus’ family hears about the commotion, they set out to restrain him, thinking he has gone mad. This passage highlights the tension between Jesus’ divine mission and the concerns of those closest to him. Like David, Jesus is misunderstood by those who should know him best. His family’s reaction reflects the human tendency to doubt or fear what we do not fully understand. Yet, Jesus’ unwavering commitment to his Father’s will shows us the cost of discipleship and the sacrifices required to follow God’s plan.
Both readings remind us that faith often demands loyalty and perseverance in the face of misunderstanding or hardship. David’s lament teaches us the importance of compassion and integrity, even toward those who may have wronged us. Jesus’ example in Mark challenges us to remain faithful to our calling, even when others question our path. In our daily lives, we are called to embody this same spirit of loyalty and trust in God’s providence. Let us ask ourselves: Where am I being called to show compassion and integrity? How can I remain steadfast in my commitment to God, even when others do not understand? May we, like David and Jesus, trust in God’s plan and find the strength to follow Him, no matter the cost.