Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 24, 2026
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
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
Sermon
Today's first reading from 2 Samuel presents David's profound grief upon learning of the deaths of Saul and his son Jonathan. Despite years of Saul's relentless pursuit and attempts on his life, David expresses genuine sorrow, tearing his garments, weeping, and fasting. His lament, particularly for Jonathan, is deeply moving, celebrating their bond and recognizing Saul's role in Israel. Meanwhile, the Gospel of Mark offers a brief glimpse into the early days of Jesus' ministry. So consumed by the crowds and His mission, Jesus and His disciples were unable to even eat. His own family, hearing of this intense dedication and the surrounding frenzy, concluded He had "gone out of His mind" and sought to take Him away.
These passages, though distinct in their narratives, both illuminate the complexities of human relationships and the challenges of discerning truth and intention. David's reaction to Saul's death transcends personal animosity, demonstrating a magnanimous spirit that mourns the loss of an anointed king and a dear friend. His capacity for love and sorrow, even for an adversary, speaks to a deeply formed character focused on the welfare of Israel. In contrast, Jesus' family, witnessing His overwhelming commitment to God's work, misinterprets His divine fervor as madness. Their concern, born perhaps of love but clouded by human understanding, highlights how genuine dedication to a spiritual calling can be misunderstood, even by those closest to us.
In our own lives, we are often tempted to hold onto grievances or judge quickly. David's lament challenges us to cultivate a heart that can mourn loss and recognize the inherent dignity in others, even those with whom we've had conflict, fostering forgiveness and compassion. Similarly, the misunderstanding faced by Jesus reminds us that living out our faith with true devotion may sometimes appear irrational or "mad" to the world, or even to our well-meaning loved ones who do not share our spiritual perspective. We are called to persevere in our commitment to God's will, trusting that His ways are higher than our own, and to show both a magnanimity of spirit and an unwavering fidelity to our calling, even in the face of misunderstanding.