Daily Readings - Mon Jan 22 2018
First Reading - 2 Samuel 5.1-7, 10
2 Samuel
1Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.2Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.3So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in 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.5In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.6And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither.7Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.10And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.
Gospel - Mark 3.22-30
Mark
22And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.23And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?24And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.25And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.26And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.27No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.28Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:29But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:30Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that guide us in understanding leadership and spiritual warfare. The first reading from 2 Samuel recounts David's anointing as king over all Israel, emphasizing his victories and the establishment of Jerusalem as his capital. This passage highlights David's leadership, blessed by God, and the unity he brings to his people. The Gospel from Mark presents Jesus facing accusations from the scribes, who attribute His miracles to Beelzebub. Jesus refutes this by illustrating the impossibility of a divided kingdom and warns against blaspheming the Holy Spirit.
Both readings underscore the importance of unity and divine support. David's success is rooted in God's presence, while Jesus teaches that a divided house cannot stand, reflecting the spiritual battle against evil. These lessons remind us that our strength comes from God and that unity is crucial in overcoming life's challenges.
In our daily lives, we face similar struggles—whether in personal conflicts or societal divisions. Let us draw inspiration from David and Jesus, standing firm in our faith and seeking God's guidance. By avoiding division and trusting in God's strength, we can overcome adversity and live in unity and peace. May we reflect on the importance of seeking God's presence and fostering harmony in all aspects of our lives.