Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 30, 2020
First Reading: 2 Samuel 7.18-19, 24-29
18Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and said, "Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?19And yet this was a small thing in your eyes, O Lord GOD. You have spoken also of your servant's house for a great while to come, and this is instruction for mankind, O Lord GOD!24And you established for yourself your people Israel to be your people forever. And you, O LORD, became their God.25And now, O LORD God, confirm forever the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, and do as you have spoken.26And your name will be magnified forever, saying, 'The LORD of hosts is God over Israel,' and the house of your servant David will be established before you.27For you, O LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have made this revelation to your servant, saying, 'I will build you a house.' Therefore your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you.28And now, O Lord GOD, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant.29Now therefore may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you. For you, O Lord GOD, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever."
Psalm 132
1Remember, O LORD, in David's favor, all the hardships he endured,2how he swore to the LORD and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob,3"I will not enter my house or get into my bed,4I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids,5until I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob."6Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah; we found it in the fields of Jaar.7"Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool!"8Arise, O LORD, and go to your resting place, you and the ark of your might.9Let your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let your saints shout for joy.10For the sake of your servant David, do not turn away the face of your anointed one.11The LORD swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back: "One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne.12If your sons keep my covenant and my testimonies that I shall teach them, their sons also forever shall sit on your throne."13For the LORD has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling place:14"This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it.15I will abundantly bless her provisions; I will satisfy her poor with bread.16Her priests I will clothe with salvation, and her saints will shout for joy.17There I will make a horn to sprout for David; I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.18His enemies I will clothe with shame, but on him his crown will shine."
Gospel: Mark 4.21-25
21And he said to them, "Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand?22For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light.23If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."24And he said to them, "Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you.25For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful reflections on faith, gratitude, and the responsibility that comes with God’s gifts. The first reading from 2 Samuel finds King David in a moment of profound humility and awe. Having just received God’s promise to establish his house forever, David sits before the Lord and acknowledges the vastness of God’s plan. He recognizes that he and his family are undeserving of such mercy and grace. David’s prayer is not one of entitlement but of deep gratitude and trust, as he asks God to fulfill His promise and bless his household.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the nature of God’s revelation and our response to it. Using the image of a lamp, He reminds us that nothing done in secret will remain hidden; everything will be brought to light. Jesus emphasizes the importance of being attentive to what we hear and how we measure out our lives. The measure we use—whether it be generosity, kindness, or indifference—will be the measure we receive in return. This teaching calls us to live with integrity, knowing that our actions and choices have consequences.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and the world around us. David’s humility and trust in God’s promises encourage us to approach life with gratitude and faith, recognizing that everything we have is a gift. Jesus’ words remind us to live transparently and generously, knowing that our actions shape not only our own lives but also the lives of others. Let us strive to live in the light of God’s truth, using the gifts we have been given to build up His kingdom and bring glory to His name.