Daily Readings - Fri Jan 12 2024
1 Samuel
4Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah5and said to him, "Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations."6But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." And Samuel prayed to the LORD.7And the LORD said to Samuel, "Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.10So Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking for a king from him.11He said, "These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen and to run before his chariots.12And he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest, and to make his implements of war and the equipment of his chariots.13He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers.14He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive orchards and give them to his servants.15He will take the tenth of your grain and of your vineyards and give it to his officers and to his servants.16He will take your male servants and female servants and the best of your young men and your donkeys, and put them to his work.17He will take the tenth of your flocks, and you shall be his slaves.18And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the LORD will not answer you in that day."19But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And they said, "No! But there shall be a king over us,20that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles."21And when Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the ears of the LORD.22And the LORD said to Samuel, "Obey their voice and make them a king." Samuel then said to the men of Israel, "Go every man to his city."
Mark
1And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home.2And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them.3And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.4And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay.5And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven."6Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts,7"Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"8And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question these things in your hearts?9Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your bed and walk'?10But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"--he said to the paralytic--11"I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home."12And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two distinct narratives that invite us to reflect on trust, authority, and the divine plan. The first reading from 1 Samuel recounts the Israelites' demand for a king, despite Samuel's warnings about the consequences. This story highlights a pivotal moment in Israel's history, marking a shift from theocratic rule to monarchy. The Israelites, influenced by surrounding nations, seek a king to lead them, reflecting a desire for human governance over divine leadership. Samuel, though displeased, relays God's message, warning of the burdens a king will bring, yet the people persist, choosing earthly rule over God's sovereignty.
In the Gospel of Mark, we witness Jesus' encounter with a paralytic. The man's friends demonstrate unwavering faith by breaking through the roof to bring him to Jesus. Jesus, perceiving their faith, forgives the man's sins and heals him, countering the scribes' skepticism about His authority. This miracle underscores Jesus' divine power to forgive sins and heal, challenging the religious leaders' understanding of God's authority.
These readings intersect by illustrating the tension between human desire and divine will. The Israelites choose a king over God's direct rule, while the scribes question Jesus' authority. Both stories emphasize the importance of trusting God's plan and recognizing His sovereignty. The paralytic's healing, facilitated by his friends' faith, contrasts with the Israelites' lack of trust, highlighting the transformative power of faith in God's authority.
In our daily lives, these readings remind us to trust in God's plan rather than rely solely on human solutions. They encourage us to recognize that true freedom and fulfillment come from following God, not from earthly systems or desires. The moral lesson is clear: place your trust in God, for His ways are higher than our own. Just as the paralytic found healing through faith, we too can experience liberation by trusting in Jesus' authority and divine plan.