Daily Readings - Tue Jan 23 2024
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 powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and our understanding of community. The first reading from 2 Samuel describes King David's joyful procession as he brings the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. This event marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history, as David unites the tribes and establishes Jerusalem as the spiritual and political center. The Ark, symbolizing God's presence, is met with celebration, sacrifice, and David's humble dance before the Lord. This passage reminds us of the importance of reverencing God's presence in our lives and the communal nature of worship.
The Gospel from Mark presents a different kind of gathering. Jesus, in the midst of his ministry, is informed that his family is seeking him. His response challenges conventional notions of family: "Whoever does the will of God is my brother, sister, and mother." This teaching emphasizes that our spiritual kinship, rooted in obedience to God's will, transcends biological ties. Jesus is not dismissing his family but expanding the concept of family to include all those who follow God's way.
Together, these readings call us to reflect on how we prioritize God in our lives and how we understand community. Like David, we are invited to rejoice in God's presence and to recognize that worship is not just an individual act but a communal celebration. Like Jesus, we are challenged to broaden our understanding of family to include all those who share our commitment to living according to God's will. Let us ask ourselves: Am I creating space for God's presence in my life? Am I building a community that reflects the values of the Kingdom of God? May we, like David, dance with joy before the Lord and, like Jesus, embrace the expansive love of God that redefines our understanding of family and community.