Daily Readings - Tue Jan 28 2020
2 Samuel
12And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness.13And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.14And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with 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 trumpet.17And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.18And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts.19And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house.
Mark
31There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.32And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.33And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?34And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!35For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two profound expressions of faith and devotion. The first reading from 2 Samuel recounts the joyful procession of King David as he brings the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. The Ark, a symbol of God’s presence among His people, is treated with reverence and celebration. David’s dance before the Lord, though unconventional, reflects his deep faith and joy in worship. His generosity in offering sacrifices and distributing food to all emphasizes his gratitude and recognition of God’s blessings.
In the Gospel, Jesus expands our understanding of family and belonging. When his biological relatives arrive, Jesus declares that his true family consists of those who do the will of God. This teaching challenges us to prioritize our spiritual relationships and to recognize that our ultimate allegiance is to God. Jesus’ words remind us that faith transcends blood ties, calling us to live according to God’s plan and purpose.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our commitment to God and how we express that commitment in our lives. Like David, we are called to worship with joy and generosity, trusting in God’s presence and provision. Like Jesus, we are reminded that our true identity and belonging are rooted in doing God’s will. Let us strive to live with faith, trust, and a willingness to follow God’s plan, knowing that we are part of a larger spiritual family united in His love.