Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 31, 2018
First Reading: 2 Samuel 24.2, 9-17
2And the king said to Joab, the leader of his army, "Travel through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and number the people, so that I may know their number.9Then Joab gave the number of the description of the people to the king. And there were found of Israel eight hundred thousand able-bodied men, who might draw the sword; and of Judah, five hundred thousand fighting men10Then the heart of David struck him, after the people were numbered. And David said to the Lord: "I have sinned greatly in what I have done. But I pray that you, O Lord, may take away the iniquity of your servant. For I have acted very foolishly.11And David rose up in the morning, and the word of the Lord went to Gad, the prophet and seer of David, saying12"Go, and say to David: ‘Thus says the Lord: I present to you a choice of three things. Choose one of these, whichever you will, so that I may do it to you.’ 13And when Gad had gone to David, he announced it to him, saying: "Either seven years of famine will come to you in your land; or you will flee for three months from your adversaries, and they will pursue you; or there will be a pestilence in your land for three days. Now then, deliberate, and see what word I may respond to him who sent me.14Then David said to Gad: "I am in great anguish. But it is better that I should fall into the hands of the Lord (for his mercies are many) than into the hands of men.15And the Lord sent a pestilence upon Israel, from the morning until the appointed time. And there died of the people, from Dan to Beersheba, seventy thousand men16And when the Angel of the Lord had extended his hand over Jerusalem, so that he might destroy it, the Lord took pity on the affliction. And he said to the Angel who was striking the people: "It is enough. Hold back your hand now." And the Angel of the Lord was beside the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite17And when he had seen the Angel cutting down the people, David said to the Lord: "I am the one who sinned. I have acted iniquitously. These ones who are the sheep, what have they done? I beg you that your hand may be turned against me and against my father’s house.
Psalm 32
1The understanding of David himself. Blessed are they whose iniquities have been forgiven and whose sins have been covered2Blessed is the man to whom the Lord has not imputed sin, and in whose spirit there is no deceit3Because I was silent, my bones grew old, while still I cried out all day long4For, day and night, your hand was heavy upon me. I have been converted in my anguish, while still the thorn is piercing5I have acknowledged my offense to you, and I have not concealed my injustice. I said, "I will confess against myself, my injustice to the Lord," and you forgave the impiety of my sin6For this, everyone who is holy will pray to you in due time. Yet truly, in a flood of many waters, they will not draw near to him7You are my refuge from the tribulation that has surrounded me. You are my exultation: rescue me from those who are surrounding me8I will give you understanding, and I will instruct you in this way, in which you will walk. I will fix my eyes upon you9Do not become like the horse and the mule, which have no understanding. Their jaws are constrained with bit and bridle, so as not to draw near to you10Many are the scourges of the sinner, but mercy will surround him that hopes in the Lord11Rejoice in the Lord and exult, you just ones, and glory, all you upright of heart
Gospel: Mark 6.1-6
1And departing from there, he went away to his own country; and his disciples followed him2And when the Sabbath arrived, he began to teach in the synagogue. And many, upon hearing him, were amazed at his doctrine, saying: "Where did this one get all these things?" and, "What is this wisdom, which has been given to him?" and, "Such powerful deeds, which are wrought by his hands!3"Is this not the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joseph, and Jude, and Simon? Are not his sisters also here with us?" And they took great offense at him4And Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and in his own house, and among his own kindred.5And he was not able to perform any miracles there, except that he cured a few of the infirm by laying his hands on them6And he wondered, because of their unbelief, and he traveled around in the villages, teaching
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on trust, faith, and humility. The first reading from 2 Samuel recounts David's decision to count the people of Israel, a act that stems from a lack of trust in God's providence. This action is met with divine displeasure, leading David to choose a punishment. Opting for three days of pestilence, David's repentance and the people's suffering move God to relent, demonstrating the power of humility and prayer.
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus faces rejection in his hometown, where the people's familiarity with him as a carpenter blinds them to his divine mission. Their unbelief hinders Jesus's ability to perform miracles, except for healing a few. This narrative underscores the challenge of recognizing God's presence in humble circumstances and the importance of faith in witnessing divine works.
These readings remind us to trust in God's plan and remain open to His presence, even in unexpected forms. Like David, we must acknowledge our shortcomings and seek mercy. Like the people of Nazareth, we must guard against letting familiarity or doubt obscure our faith. May we cultivate humility and trust, allowing God's grace to transform our lives and communities.