Daily Readings - Mon Jan 22 2018
2 Samuel
1Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "Behold, we are your bone and flesh.2In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the LORD said to you, 'You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.'"3So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel.4David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.5At Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.6And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who said to David, "You will not come in here, but the blind and the lame will ward you off"--thinking, "David cannot come in here."7Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David.10And David became greater and greater, for the LORD, the God of hosts, was with him.
Mark
22And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, "He is possessed by Beelzebul," and "by the prince of demons he casts out the demons."23And he called them to him and said to them in parables, "How can Satan cast out Satan?24If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.25And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.26And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end.27But no one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.28"Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter,29but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"--30for they had said, "He has an unclean spirit."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that guide us in understanding leadership and spiritual warfare. The first reading from 2 Samuel recounts David's anointing as king over all Israel, emphasizing his victories and the establishment of Jerusalem as his capital. This passage highlights David's leadership, blessed by God, and the unity he brings to his people. The Gospel from Mark presents Jesus facing accusations from the scribes, who attribute His miracles to Beelzebub. Jesus refutes this by illustrating the impossibility of a divided kingdom and warns against blaspheming the Holy Spirit.
Both readings underscore the importance of unity and divine support. David's success is rooted in God's presence, while Jesus teaches that a divided house cannot stand, reflecting the spiritual battle against evil. These lessons remind us that our strength comes from God and that unity is crucial in overcoming life's challenges.
In our daily lives, we face similar struggles—whether in personal conflicts or societal divisions. Let us draw inspiration from David and Jesus, standing firm in our faith and seeking God's guidance. By avoiding division and trusting in God's strength, we can overcome adversity and live in unity and peace. May we reflect on the importance of seeking God's presence and fostering harmony in all aspects of our lives.