Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 30, 2020
First Reading: 2 Samuel 7.18-19, 24-29
18Then king David entered and sat before the Lord, and he said: "Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you would bring me to this point19Moreover, this has seemed little in your sight, O Lord God, unless you also will speak about the house of your servant for a long time. For this is the law of Adam, O Lord God24For you have secured your people Israel for yourself, as an everlasting people. And you, O Lord God, have become their God25Now therefore, O Lord God, raise up forever the word that you have spoken over your servant and over his house. And do just as you have said26so that your name may be magnified even forever, and so that it may be said: ‘The Lord of hosts is the God over Israel.’ And the house of your servant David will be established in the sight of the Lord27For you, O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, have revealed to the ear of your servant, saying, ‘I will build a house for you.’ Because of this, your servant has found it in his heart to pray this prayer to you28Now therefore, O Lord God, you are God, and your words shall be true. For you have spoken to your servant these good things29Therefore, begin, and bless the house of your servant, so that it may be forever before you. For you, O Lord God, have spoken. And so, let the house of your servant be blessed with your blessing forever.
Psalm 132
1A Canticle in steps. O Lord, remember David and all his meekness2how he swore to the Lord, how he made a vow to the God of Jacob3I shall not enter into the tabernacle of my house, nor climb into the bed where I lie down4I shall not give sleep to my eyes, nor slumber to my eyelid5and rest to my temples, until I find a place for the Lord, a tabernacle for the God of Jacob6Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah. We discovered it in the fields of the forest7We will enter into his tabernacle. We will adore in the place where his feet stood8Rise up, O Lord, into your resting place. You and the ark of your sanctification9Let your priests be clothed with justice, and let your saints exult10For the sake of your servant David, do not turn away the face of your Christ11The Lord has sworn the truth to David, and he will not disappoint: I will set upon your throne from the fruit of your lineage12If your sons will keep my covenant and these, my testimonies, which I will teach to them, then their sons will sit upon your throne even forever13For the Lord has chosen Zion. He has chosen it as his dwelling place14This is my resting place, forever and ever. Here I will dwell, for I have chosen it15When blessing, I will bless her widow. I will satisfy her poor with bread16I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints will rejoice with great joy17There, I will produce a horn to David. There, I have prepared a lamp for my Christ18I will clothe his enemies with confusion. But my sanctification will flourish over him
Gospel: Mark 4.21-25
21And he said to them: "Would someone enter with a lamp in order to place it under a basket or under a bed? Would it not be placed upon a lampstand22For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed. Neither was anything done in secret, except that it may be made public23If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.24And he said to them: "Consider what you hear. With whatever measure you have measured out, it shall be measured back to you, and more shall be added to you25For whoever has, to him it shall be given. And whoever has not, from him even what he has shall be taken away.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful reflections on faith, gratitude, and the responsibility that comes with God’s gifts. The first reading from 2 Samuel finds King David in a moment of profound humility and awe. Having just received God’s promise to establish his house forever, David sits before the Lord and acknowledges the vastness of God’s plan. He recognizes that he and his family are undeserving of such mercy and grace. David’s prayer is not one of entitlement but of deep gratitude and trust, as he asks God to fulfill His promise and bless his household.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the nature of God’s revelation and our response to it. Using the image of a lamp, He reminds us that nothing done in secret will remain hidden; everything will be brought to light. Jesus emphasizes the importance of being attentive to what we hear and how we measure out our lives. The measure we use—whether it be generosity, kindness, or indifference—will be the measure we receive in return. This teaching calls us to live with integrity, knowing that our actions and choices have consequences.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and the world around us. David’s humility and trust in God’s promises encourage us to approach life with gratitude and faith, recognizing that everything we have is a gift. Jesus’ words remind us to live transparently and generously, knowing that our actions shape not only our own lives but also the lives of others. Let us strive to live in the light of God’s truth, using the gifts we have been given to build up His kingdom and bring glory to His name.