Daily Readings - Thu Jan 23 2020
1 Samuel
6And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick.7And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.8And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?9And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.
1And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David.2But Jonathan Saul's son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself:3And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou art, and I will commune with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee.4And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good:5For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?6And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain.7And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan shewed him all those things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as in times past.
Mark
7But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea,8And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him.9And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him.10For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues.11And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.12And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known.
Sermon
The readings today present us with two very different scenarios, both of which invite us to reflect on the human condition and the ways of God. In the first reading, from 1 Samuel, we see the beginning of the tension between King Saul and David. Saul, once celebrated as a hero, becomes consumed by jealousy and anger when the people praise David for his victory over Goliath. This jealousy leads Saul to plot against David’s life, even though David has done nothing wrong. Jonathan, Saul’s own son, stands in defense of David, pleading with his father not to harm him. This story reminds us of the destructive power of envy and the importance of loyalty and justice.
In the Gospel, from Mark, we encounter a very different kind of leadership. Jesus, having withdrawn to the sea with his disciples, is surrounded by a great crowd of people from all over. They come to him because of his healing power, and even the unclean spirits recognize him as the Son of God. Yet, Jesus admonishes them not to reveal his identity. This passage highlights Jesus’ humility and his focus on his mission over human recognition. While Saul’s jealousy leads to division and harm, Jesus’ humility draws people to him and fosters unity.
These readings call us to reflect on our own attitudes and actions. Like Saul, we can sometimes allow jealousy or pride to cloud our judgment and harm others. But Jesus shows us a different way: a way of humility, compassion, and trust in God’s plan. As we go about our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Are we like Saul, letting envy or fear guide us? Or are we striving to be like Jesus, who sought not his own glory but the will of his Father? May we cultivate humility and trust in God, even when the world around us seems to value power and recognition.