Daily Readings - Thu Jan 23 2020
1 Samuel
6As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments.7And the women sang to one another as they celebrated, "Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands."8And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, "They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?"9And Saul eyed David from that day on.
1And Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David. But Jonathan, Saul's son, delighted much in David.2And Jonathan told David, "Saul my father seeks to kill you. Therefore be on your guard in the morning. Stay in a secret place and hide yourself.3And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak to my father about you. And if I learn anything I will tell you."4And Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, "Let not the king sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have brought good to you.5For he took his life in his hand and he struck down the Philistine, and the LORD worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it, and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood by killing David without cause?"6And Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan. Saul swore, "As the LORD lives, he shall not be put to death."7And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan reported to him all these things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as before.
Mark
7Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great crowd followed, from Galilee and Judea8and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from around Tyre and Sidon. When the great crowd heard all that he was doing, they came to him.9And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they crush him,10for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed around him to touch him.11And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, "You are the Son of God."12And he strictly ordered them not to make him known.
Sermon
The readings today present us with two very different scenarios, both of which invite us to reflect on the human condition and the ways of God. In the first reading, from 1 Samuel, we see the beginning of the tension between King Saul and David. Saul, once celebrated as a hero, becomes consumed by jealousy and anger when the people praise David for his victory over Goliath. This jealousy leads Saul to plot against David’s life, even though David has done nothing wrong. Jonathan, Saul’s own son, stands in defense of David, pleading with his father not to harm him. This story reminds us of the destructive power of envy and the importance of loyalty and justice.
In the Gospel, from Mark, we encounter a very different kind of leadership. Jesus, having withdrawn to the sea with his disciples, is surrounded by a great crowd of people from all over. They come to him because of his healing power, and even the unclean spirits recognize him as the Son of God. Yet, Jesus admonishes them not to reveal his identity. This passage highlights Jesus’ humility and his focus on his mission over human recognition. While Saul’s jealousy leads to division and harm, Jesus’ humility draws people to him and fosters unity.
These readings call us to reflect on our own attitudes and actions. Like Saul, we can sometimes allow jealousy or pride to cloud our judgment and harm others. But Jesus shows us a different way: a way of humility, compassion, and trust in God’s plan. As we go about our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Are we like Saul, letting envy or fear guide us? Or are we striving to be like Jesus, who sought not his own glory but the will of his Father? May we cultivate humility and trust in God, even when the world around us seems to value power and recognition.