Daily Readings - Tue Jan 23 2024
2 Samuel
12And it was reported to king David that the Lord had blessed Obededom, and all that was his, because of the ark of God. Therefore, David went and brought the ark of God, from the house of Obededom, into the city of David with joy. And there were with David seven choirs, and calves for victims13And when those who were carrying the ark of the Lord had traveled six steps, he immolated an ox and a ram14And David danced with all his ability before the Lord. And David was girded with the linen ephod15And David, and all the house of Israel, were leading the ark of the testament of the Lord, with jubilation and the sound of the trumpet17And they led in the ark of the Lord. And they set it in its place in the middle of the tabernacle, which David had pitched for it. And David offered holocausts and peace offerings in the sight of the Lord18And when he had completed offering holocausts and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts19And he distributed to the entire multitude of Israel, as much to men as to women, to each one: one loaf of bread, and one piece of roasted beef, and fine wheat flour fried with oil. And all the people went away, each one to his own house
Mark
31And his mother and brothers arrived. And standing outside, they sent to him, calling him32And the crowd was sitting around him. And they said to him, "Behold, your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.33And responding to them, he said, "Who is my mother and my brothers?34And looking around at those who were sitting all around him, he said: "Behold, my mother and my brothers35For whoever has done the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister and mother.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and our understanding of community. The first reading from 2 Samuel describes King David's joyful procession as he brings the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. This event marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history, as David unites the tribes and establishes Jerusalem as the spiritual and political center. The Ark, symbolizing God's presence, is met with celebration, sacrifice, and David's humble dance before the Lord. This passage reminds us of the importance of reverencing God's presence in our lives and the communal nature of worship.
The Gospel from Mark presents a different kind of gathering. Jesus, in the midst of his ministry, is informed that his family is seeking him. His response challenges conventional notions of family: "Whoever does the will of God is my brother, sister, and mother." This teaching emphasizes that our spiritual kinship, rooted in obedience to God's will, transcends biological ties. Jesus is not dismissing his family but expanding the concept of family to include all those who follow God's way.
Together, these readings call us to reflect on how we prioritize God in our lives and how we understand community. Like David, we are invited to rejoice in God's presence and to recognize that worship is not just an individual act but a communal celebration. Like Jesus, we are challenged to broaden our understanding of family to include all those who share our commitment to living according to God's will. Let us ask ourselves: Am I creating space for God's presence in my life? Am I building a community that reflects the values of the Kingdom of God? May we, like David, dance with joy before the Lord and, like Jesus, embrace the expansive love of God that redefines our understanding of family and community.