Daily Readings - Thu Jan 30 2020
2 Samuel
18Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?19And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD?24For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people unto thee for ever: and thou, LORD, art become their God.25And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said.26And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee.27For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.28And now, O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:29Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.
Mark
21And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?22For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.23If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.24And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.25For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful reflections on faith, gratitude, and the responsibility that comes with God’s gifts. The first reading from 2 Samuel finds King David in a moment of profound humility and awe. Having just received God’s promise to establish his house forever, David sits before the Lord and acknowledges the vastness of God’s plan. He recognizes that he and his family are undeserving of such mercy and grace. David’s prayer is not one of entitlement but of deep gratitude and trust, as he asks God to fulfill His promise and bless his household.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the nature of God’s revelation and our response to it. Using the image of a lamp, He reminds us that nothing done in secret will remain hidden; everything will be brought to light. Jesus emphasizes the importance of being attentive to what we hear and how we measure out our lives. The measure we use—whether it be generosity, kindness, or indifference—will be the measure we receive in return. This teaching calls us to live with integrity, knowing that our actions and choices have consequences.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and the world around us. David’s humility and trust in God’s promises encourage us to approach life with gratitude and faith, recognizing that everything we have is a gift. Jesus’ words remind us to live transparently and generously, knowing that our actions shape not only our own lives but also the lives of others. Let us strive to live in the light of God’s truth, using the gifts we have been given to build up His kingdom and bring glory to His name.