Daily Readings - Fri Jan 19 2018
1 Samuel
2Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Wildgoats' Rocks.3And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, where there was a cave, and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave.4And the men of David said to him, "Here is the day of which the LORD said to you, 'Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.'" Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul's robe.5And afterward David's heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul's robe.6He said to his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD's anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD's anointed."7So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way.8Afterward David also arose and went out of the cave, and called after Saul, "My lord the king!" And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth and paid homage.9And David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to the words of men who say, 'Behold, David seeks your harm'?10Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the LORD gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, 'I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD's anointed.'11See, my father, see the corner of your robe in my hand. For by the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it.12May the LORD judge between me and you, may the LORD avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you.13As the proverb of the ancients says, 'Out of the wicked comes wickedness.' But my hand shall not be against you.14After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog! After a flea!15May the LORD therefore be judge and give sentence between me and you, and see to it and plead my cause and deliver me from your hand."16As soon as David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, "Is this your voice, my son David?" And Saul lifted up his voice and wept.17He said to David, "You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil.18And you have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill me when the LORD put me into your hands.19For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safe? So may the LORD reward you with good for what you have done to me this day.20And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand.21Swear to me therefore by the LORD that you will not cut off my offspring after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father's house."
Mark
13And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him.14And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach15and have authority to cast out demons.16He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter);17James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder);18Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean,19and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that guide us in our spiritual journey. The first reading from 1 Samuel 24:2-21 tells the story of David, who, despite having the perfect opportunity to kill Saul, his persecutor, chooses mercy. David's actions reveal his deep trust in God's plan and his respect for Saul's divine anointing. This episode underscores the theme of mercy and trust in divine providence.
The Gospel reading, Mark 3:13-19, shifts our focus to Jesus, who gathers His twelve apostles, empowering them to spread His message and heal. This passage highlights the importance of community and collaboration in fulfilling God's mission. Jesus' selection of the apostles demonstrates His trust in them and His desire to work through a united group to bring His message to the world.
Both readings connect through the theme of trust in God's plan and the value of community. David's mercy and Jesus' establishment of the apostles illustrate how trusting in God leads to meaningful action. David trusted God to handle Saul, while Jesus trusted His disciples to carry on His work. This teaches us to trust in God's timing and to work together in our spiritual journeys.
In our daily lives, these lessons encourage us to embrace mercy and trust. When faced with challenges, we can choose to act with compassion, just as David did. Additionally, recognizing the strength in community, we should support one another in our shared mission to live out our faith. The moral and spiritual reflection here is clear: trust in God's plan, show mercy, and value the power of community. Let us strive to embody these virtues, trusting that God will guide us and that together, we can achieve great things for His glory.