Daily Readings - Mon Jan 24 2022
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.
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 invite us to reflect on leadership, opposition, and the presence of God in our lives. The first reading from 2 Samuel describes David’s anointing as king over all Israel, emphasizing God’s plan and presence with him as he establishes his reign in Jerusalem. Despite initial resistance from the Jebusites, David trusts in God’s strength and guidance, and he prospers. The Gospel from Mark presents a different kind of conflict: Jesus is accused by the scribes of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons. Jesus responds with a parable about the impossibility of a kingdom divided against itself, asserting that his power comes not from Satan but from God. He then warns about the gravity of blaspheming the Holy Spirit, a sin that cannot be forgiven.
Both readings highlight the theme of opposition to God’s work. In the first reading, David faces physical enemies, but his trust in God allows him to overcome. In the Gospel, Jesus faces spiritual opposition, as his enemies attribute his divine power to evil. Together, these passages remind us that God’s plan often encounters resistance, but His presence and power ultimately prevail. Jesus’ words about the Holy Spirit call us to discernment, urging us not to attribute God’s work to darkness but to recognize the divine hand at work in our lives.
As we reflect on these readings, let us consider how we face challenges in our own lives. Do we trust in God’s presence and strength, like David, or do we allow fear and doubt to dominate? Let us also examine our attitudes toward God’s work in the world. Are we quick to judge or dismiss the ways in which God is acting, or do we approach His work with humility and openness? Jesus’ warning about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit reminds us of the seriousness of closing our hearts to God’s truth. May we seek to align our wills with God’s, trusting in His plan and seeking His guidance in all we do.