Daily Readings - Mon Jan 24 2022
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 invite us to reflect on leadership, opposition, and the presence of God in our lives. The first reading from 2 Samuel describes David’s anointing as king over all Israel, emphasizing God’s plan and presence with him as he establishes his reign in Jerusalem. Despite initial resistance from the Jebusites, David trusts in God’s strength and guidance, and he prospers. The Gospel from Mark presents a different kind of conflict: Jesus is accused by the scribes of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons. Jesus responds with a parable about the impossibility of a kingdom divided against itself, asserting that his power comes not from Satan but from God. He then warns about the gravity of blaspheming the Holy Spirit, a sin that cannot be forgiven.
Both readings highlight the theme of opposition to God’s work. In the first reading, David faces physical enemies, but his trust in God allows him to overcome. In the Gospel, Jesus faces spiritual opposition, as his enemies attribute his divine power to evil. Together, these passages remind us that God’s plan often encounters resistance, but His presence and power ultimately prevail. Jesus’ words about the Holy Spirit call us to discernment, urging us not to attribute God’s work to darkness but to recognize the divine hand at work in our lives.
As we reflect on these readings, let us consider how we face challenges in our own lives. Do we trust in God’s presence and strength, like David, or do we allow fear and doubt to dominate? Let us also examine our attitudes toward God’s work in the world. Are we quick to judge or dismiss the ways in which God is acting, or do we approach His work with humility and openness? Jesus’ warning about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit reminds us of the seriousness of closing our hearts to God’s truth. May we seek to align our wills with God’s, trusting in His plan and seeking His guidance in all we do.