Daily Readings - Thu Jan 23 2020
1 Samuel
6Now when David returned, after he had struck down the Philistine, the women went out, from all the cities of Israel, leading the singing and dancing, rejoicing with timbrels and bells, so as to meet king Saul7And the women sang, as they played, saying, "Saul has struck down a thousand, and David ten thousand.8Then Saul became exceedingly angry, and this word was displeasing in his eyes. And he said: "They have given David ten thousand, and to me they gave only one thousand. What is left for him, except the kingdom itself?9Therefore, Saul did not regard David with a good eye, from that day and thereafter
1Now Saul spoke to his son Jonathan, and to all his servants, so that they would kill David. But Jonathan, the son of Saul, loved David very much2And Jonathan revealed it to David, saying: "Saul, my father, is seeking to kill you. Because of this, I ask you, take care for yourself in the morning. And you should conceal yourself and remain in hiding3Then I, going out, will be standing beside my father in the field, where you will be. And I will speak about you to my father. And whatever I see, I will report to you.4Then Jonathan spoke good things about David to his father Saul. And he said to him: "You should not sin, O king, against your servant David. For he has not sinned against you, and his works toward you are very good5And he took his life in his own hand, and struck down the Philistine. And the Lord wrought a great salvation for all of Israel. You saw it, and you rejoiced. Why then would you sin against innocent blood by killing David, who is without guilt?6And when Saul had heard this, being pleased by the voice of Jonathan, he swore, "As the Lord lives, he shall not be killed.7And so Jonathan called David, and he revealed to him all of these words. And Jonathan led in David to Saul, and he was before him, just as he had been yesterday and the day before
Mark
7But Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea. And a great crowd followed him from Galilee and Judea8and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea and across the Jordan. And those around Tyre and Sidon, upon hearing what he was doing, came to him in a great multitude9And he told his disciples that a small boat would be useful to him, because of the crowd, lest they press upon him10For he healed so many, that as many of them as had wounds would rush toward him in order to touch him11And the unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell prostrate before him. And they cried out, saying12"You are the Son of God." And he strongly admonished them, lest they make him known
Sermon
The readings today present us with two very different scenarios, both of which invite us to reflect on the human condition and the ways of God. In the first reading, from 1 Samuel, we see the beginning of the tension between King Saul and David. Saul, once celebrated as a hero, becomes consumed by jealousy and anger when the people praise David for his victory over Goliath. This jealousy leads Saul to plot against David’s life, even though David has done nothing wrong. Jonathan, Saul’s own son, stands in defense of David, pleading with his father not to harm him. This story reminds us of the destructive power of envy and the importance of loyalty and justice.
In the Gospel, from Mark, we encounter a very different kind of leadership. Jesus, having withdrawn to the sea with his disciples, is surrounded by a great crowd of people from all over. They come to him because of his healing power, and even the unclean spirits recognize him as the Son of God. Yet, Jesus admonishes them not to reveal his identity. This passage highlights Jesus’ humility and his focus on his mission over human recognition. While Saul’s jealousy leads to division and harm, Jesus’ humility draws people to him and fosters unity.
These readings call us to reflect on our own attitudes and actions. Like Saul, we can sometimes allow jealousy or pride to cloud our judgment and harm others. But Jesus shows us a different way: a way of humility, compassion, and trust in God’s plan. As we go about our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Are we like Saul, letting envy or fear guide us? Or are we striving to be like Jesus, who sought not his own glory but the will of his Father? May we cultivate humility and trust in God, even when the world around us seems to value power and recognition.