Daily Readings - Fri Jan 19 2024
1 Samuel
2Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Wildgoats' Rocks.3And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, where there was a cave, and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave.4And the men of David said to him, "Here is the day of which the LORD said to you, 'Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.'" Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul's robe.5And afterward David's heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul's robe.6He said to his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD's anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD's anointed."7So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way.8Afterward David also arose and went out of the cave, and called after Saul, "My lord the king!" And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth and paid homage.9And David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to the words of men who say, 'Behold, David seeks your harm'?10Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the LORD gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, 'I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD's anointed.'11See, my father, see the corner of your robe in my hand. For by the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it.12May the LORD judge between me and you, may the LORD avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you.13As the proverb of the ancients says, 'Out of the wicked comes wickedness.' But my hand shall not be against you.14After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog! After a flea!15May the LORD therefore be judge and give sentence between me and you, and see to it and plead my cause and deliver me from your hand."16As soon as David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, "Is this your voice, my son David?" And Saul lifted up his voice and wept.17He said to David, "You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil.18And you have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill me when the LORD put me into your hands.19For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away safe? So may the LORD reward you with good for what you have done to me this day.20And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand.
Mark
13And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him.14And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach15and have authority to cast out demons.16He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter);17James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder);18Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean,19and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound lessons on trust, mercy, and divine authority. The first reading from 1 Samuel 24 presents David, who, despite having the perfect opportunity to kill Saul, chooses mercy. Saul, driven by jealousy, pursues David relentlessly, yet David's restraint and respect for God's anointed leader are evident. This moment showcases David's deep trust in God's plan, prioritizing divine authority over personal vengeance.
In the Gospel of Mark, chapter 3, Jesus appoints the Twelve Apostles, entrusting them with the mission to preach and heal. This act underscores the theme of trust and authority, as Jesus vests his disciples to carry on his work. The Apostles, much like David, are called to trust in a higher purpose, stepping into roles that require faithfulness and humility.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own lives. Like David, we may face situations where we could retaliate, but instead, we are called to choose mercy and trust in God's plan. Like the Apostles, we are entrusted with responsibilities that require faith and humility. Let us embrace our roles with self-control and humility, trusting in God's guidance, and may we always act with mercy and faithfulness in the face of challenges.