Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 23, 2024
First Reading: 2 Samuel 6.12b-15, 17-19
12And it was told King David, "The LORD has blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God." So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing.13And when those who bore the ark of the LORD had gone six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened animal.14And David danced before the LORD with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod.15So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the horn.17And they brought in the ark of the LORD and set it in its place, inside the tent that David had pitched for it. And David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.18And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts19and distributed among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, a cake of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins to each one. Then all the people departed, each to his house.
Psalm 24
1The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,2for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.3Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?4He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.5He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation.6Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah7Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.8Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle!9Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.10Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah
Gospel: Mark 3.31-35
31And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him.32And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, "Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you."33And he answered them, "Who are my mother and my brothers?"34And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers!35Whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and our understanding of community. The first reading from 2 Samuel describes King David's joyful procession as he brings the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. This event marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history, as David unites the tribes and establishes Jerusalem as the spiritual and political center. The Ark, symbolizing God's presence, is met with celebration, sacrifice, and David's humble dance before the Lord. This passage reminds us of the importance of reverencing God's presence in our lives and the communal nature of worship.
The Gospel from Mark presents a different kind of gathering. Jesus, in the midst of his ministry, is informed that his family is seeking him. His response challenges conventional notions of family: "Whoever does the will of God is my brother, sister, and mother." This teaching emphasizes that our spiritual kinship, rooted in obedience to God's will, transcends biological ties. Jesus is not dismissing his family but expanding the concept of family to include all those who follow God's way.
Together, these readings call us to reflect on how we prioritize God in our lives and how we understand community. Like David, we are invited to rejoice in God's presence and to recognize that worship is not just an individual act but a communal celebration. Like Jesus, we are challenged to broaden our understanding of family to include all those who share our commitment to living according to God's will. Let us ask ourselves: Am I creating space for God's presence in my life? Am I building a community that reflects the values of the Kingdom of God? May we, like David, dance with joy before the Lord and, like Jesus, embrace the expansive love of God that redefines our understanding of family and community.