Daily Readings - Thu Jan 20 2022
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
In today's readings, we encounter two distinct narratives that invite us to reflect on themes of recognition, response, and the virtues of humility and loyalty. The first reading from 1 Samuel recounts the aftermath of David's victory over Goliath, where Saul's jealousy is kindled by the people's celebration of David. This jealousy leads Saul to plot against David, yet Jonathan, Saul's son, stands by David, advocating for his innocence and the good he has done. In contrast, the Gospel of Mark presents Jesus, whose miracles and healings draw large crowds, yet He chooses to keep a low profile, even silencing the unclean spirits who recognize Him as the Son of God.
The context of 1 Samuel is one of rising tension and human frailty. Saul, once a leader favored by God, becomes consumed by envy, fearing David's growing popularity. Jonathan, however, exemplifies loyalty and justice, standing up for David despite the danger. In Mark, Jesus' ministry is gaining momentum, yet He remains humble, avoiding the spotlight, and focusing on His mission rather than seeking acclaim. This contrast highlights different responses to recognition: Saul's jealousy versus Jonathan's loyalty, and Jesus' humility.
These readings relate to each other through the theme of recognition and response. In Samuel, recognition leads to jealousy and conflict, while in Mark, it leads to humility and restraint. This teaches us about handling success and recognition with grace. In our lives, we may face situations where others' success provokes envy, but we are called to respond with humility and support. Like Jonathan, we should stand by those treated unfairly and advocate for justice.
Applying these lessons, we learn to cultivate humility and trust in God's plan. Recognizing our place and not letting jealousy consume us, we should support others' successes. The value of loyal friendship and standing up for what is right is also emphasized. From Mark, we see the importance of humility, not seeking fame, and trusting in God's timing.
In conclusion, the moral lesson is clear: humility and trust in God are essential. We are called to recognize our own limitations and respond with grace, avoiding jealousy and embracing humility. Let us strive to be like Jonathan, loyal and just, and like Jesus, humble and focused on our mission. May we trust in God's plan and cultivate these virtues in our daily lives.