Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 27, 2026
First Reading: 2 Samuel 6.12b-15, 17-19
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
Psalm 24
1For the First Sabbath. A Psalm of David. The earth and all its fullness belong to the Lord: the whole world and all that dwells in it2For he has founded it upon the seas, and he has prepared it upon the rivers3Who will ascend to the mountain of the Lord? And who will stand in his holy place4The innocent of hands and the clean of heart, who has not received his soul in vain, nor sworn deceitfully to his neighbor5He will receive a blessing from the Lord, and mercy from God, his Saviour6This is the generation that seeks him, that seeks the face of the God of Jacob7Lift up your gates, you princes, and be lifted up, eternal gates. And the King of Glory shall enter8Who is this King of Glory? The Lord who is strong and powerful; the Lord powerful in battle9Lift up your gates, you princes, and be lifted up, eternal gates. And the King of Glory shall enter10Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of virtue. He himself is the King of Glory
Gospel: Mark 3.31-35
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
Today's readings present two distinct yet harmonizing insights into our relationship with God and community. In the First Book of Samuel, we witness King David's exuberant procession as he brings the Ark of the Covenant, the symbol of God’s presence, into Jerusalem. David, learning of the blessings bestowed upon Obed-Edom because of the Ark's presence, understands the significance of God dwelling among His people. He dances with all his might, offers sacrifices, and blesses the entire multitude, establishing Jerusalem as a spiritual center and uniting his people under God's blessing. This display of profound devotion and joy highlights the proper reverence and welcome due to the Almighty.
The Gospel of Mark, conversely, shows Jesus redefining the very nature of family. When his mother and brothers seek him, Jesus points to those around him, declaring, "Whoever does the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister and mother." This teaches us that while earthly ties are important, a deeper, spiritual kinship binds us in Christ. Just as David prioritized bringing God's presence into the heart of his kingdom with unreserved devotion, Jesus calls us to prioritize doing God's will as the foundation of our belonging. Our spiritual family transcends bloodlines, encompassing all who earnestly strive to live according to God’s commands.
Both passages challenge us to consider where our true allegiances lie and how we manifest our faith. Are we, like David, willing to offer our wholehearted praise and make space for God's presence in our lives, communities, and indeed, our very homes? Do we recognize and embrace the broader spiritual family, finding solidarity and kinship with all who seek to do God's will, thereby extending His kingdom on earth? This deep commitment to God's presence and His will forms the cornerstone of a blessed life, both individually and communally.