Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 22, 2022

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

Psalms

Chapter 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

Mark

Chapter 3

²⁰And they went to a house, and the crowd gathered together again, so much so that they were not even able to eat bread²¹And when his own had heard of it, they went out to take hold of him. For they said: "Because he has gone mad.

Sermon

In today’s readings, we encounter profound emotions and pivotal moments that invite us to reflect on love, duty, and the sacrifices that come with following a higher calling. The first reading from 2 Samuel vividly portrays David’s grief over the deaths of Saul and Jonathan. Despite Saul’s pursuit of him, David mourns deeply, showing respect and sorrow. His lament for Jonathan, in particular, highlights a bond of love that transcends rivalry, teaching us about the depth of human connection and the importance of honoring even complicated relationships. The Gospel from Mark presents a contrasting yet complementary scene. Jesus’ family, concerned by the crowds and his intense focus on his mission, believes he has gone mad. This moment underscores the tension between personal relationships and divine purpose. Jesus’ commitment to his ministry takes precedence, illustrating the sacrifices required when answering a higher call. Both readings, though different, remind us that love and duty can sometimes pull us in opposite directions, challenging us to find balance. As we apply these lessons to our lives, we are reminded to love deeply, as David did, even in the face of adversity. We are also called to remain faithful to our calling, as Jesus exemplified, even when it demands difficult choices. Let us strive to honor our relationships while staying true to our commitments, trusting that in doing so, we navigate life’s challenges with grace and purpose.