Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 22, 2026
First Reading: 1 Samuel 18.6-9; 19.1-7
6As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments.7And the women sang to one another as they celebrated, "Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands."8And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, "They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?"9And Saul eyed David from that day on.
1And Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David. But Jonathan, Saul's son, delighted much in David.2And Jonathan told David, "Saul my father seeks to kill you. Therefore be on your guard in the morning. Stay in a secret place and hide yourself.3And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak to my father about you. And if I learn anything I will tell you."4And Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, "Let not the king sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have brought good to you.5For he took his life in his hand and he struck down the Philistine, and the LORD worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it, and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood by killing David without cause?"6And Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan. Saul swore, "As the LORD lives, he shall not be put to death."7And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan reported to him all these things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as before.
Psalm 56
1Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me; all day long an attacker oppresses me;2my enemies trample on me all day long, for many attack me proudly.3When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.4In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?5All day long they injure my cause; all their thoughts are against me for evil.6They stir up strife, they lurk; they watch my steps, as they have waited for my life.7For their crime will they escape? In wrath cast down the peoples, O God!8You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?9Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call. This I know, that God is for me.10In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise,11in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?12I must perform my vows to you, O God; I will render thank offerings to you.13For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
Gospel: Mark 3.7-12
7Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great crowd followed, from Galilee and Judea8and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from around Tyre and Sidon. When the great crowd heard all that he was doing, they came to him.9And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they crush him,10for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed around him to touch him.11And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, "You are the Son of God."12And he strictly ordered them not to make him known.
Sermon
The first reading reveals the immediate aftermath of David’s triumph, showcasing King Saul’s swift descent into envy. Despite David’s loyalty and service, the popular acclamation of David’s victories over his own ignited a dangerous jealousy in Saul, leading him to plot David’s death. It is in this dark moment that Jonathan, Saul’s own son, emerges as a figure of profound loyalty and moral courage, interceding for David and reminding his father of David’s innocence and God’s favor. Meanwhile, the Gospel of Mark presents Jesus at the height of his early ministry, surrounded by vast crowds from all regions, drawn by his healing power. So great was the demand that he required a boat to manage the multitude, as people pressed in just to touch him and be cured. Even the unclean spirits recognized his divine identity, crying out "You are the Son of God," only to be silenced by Jesus, who maintained control over the revelation of his mission.
Both passages speak to the profound impact of those favored by God. In 1 Samuel, we witness the destructive power of envy, illustrating how it can corrupt a leader’s heart and incite violence, while Jonathan’s actions stand as a testament to courageous love and selfless intercession. His willingness to speak truth to power and risk his own position for the sake of his friend is a powerful example for us today, reminding us to stand for justice and defend the innocent. In the Gospel, we see the boundless compassion of Christ, who draws all humanity to himself for healing. The pressing crowds seeking relief mirror the deep spiritual and physical needs of our own world. Jesus’ strategic withdrawal and his silencing of the demons emphasize his divine authority and wisdom in revealing his identity and mission on his own terms, rather than succumbing to popular demand or demonic recognition.
Reflecting on these accounts, we are challenged to examine our own hearts. Do we, like Saul, harbor envy when others are celebrated or succeed, allowing it to poison our relationships and darken our spirit? Or do we, like Jonathan, embody courageous love, interceding for others and championing what is right, even at personal cost? Furthermore, we are called to approach Jesus, the ultimate healer, with the same earnest desire as the crowds, recognizing him as the Son of God not merely through words, but through our trust and willingness to be transformed by his grace. In a world full of suffering and division, let us seek healing from Christ and be inspired to be instruments of courageous love and truth, reflecting his light to those around us.