Daily Readings - Fri Jan 19 2024
1 Samuel
2Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.3And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.4And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily.5And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.6And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.7So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.8David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.9And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?10Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD'S anointed.11Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.12The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.13As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.14After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.15The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.16And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.17And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.18And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst me not.19For if a man find his enemy, will he let him go well away? wherefore the LORD reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day.20And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand.
Mark
13And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him.14And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,15And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:16And Simon he surnamed Peter;17And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:18And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,19And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound lessons on trust, mercy, and divine authority. The first reading from 1 Samuel 24 presents David, who, despite having the perfect opportunity to kill Saul, chooses mercy. Saul, driven by jealousy, pursues David relentlessly, yet David's restraint and respect for God's anointed leader are evident. This moment showcases David's deep trust in God's plan, prioritizing divine authority over personal vengeance.
In the Gospel of Mark, chapter 3, Jesus appoints the Twelve Apostles, entrusting them with the mission to preach and heal. This act underscores the theme of trust and authority, as Jesus vests his disciples to carry on his work. The Apostles, much like David, are called to trust in a higher purpose, stepping into roles that require faithfulness and humility.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own lives. Like David, we may face situations where we could retaliate, but instead, we are called to choose mercy and trust in God's plan. Like the Apostles, we are entrusted with responsibilities that require faith and humility. Let us embrace our roles with self-control and humility, trusting in God's guidance, and may we always act with mercy and faithfulness in the face of challenges.