Daily Readings - Wed Jan 31 2024
2 Samuel
2For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people.9And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.10And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.11For when David was up in the morning, the word of the LORD came unto the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying,12Go and say unto David, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things; choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee.13So Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto him, Shall seven years of famine come unto thee in thy land? or wilt thou flee three months before thine enemies, while they pursue thee? or that there be three days' pestilence in thy land? now advise, and see what answer I shall return to him that sent me.14And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man.15So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men.16And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.17And David spake unto the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father's house.
Mark
1And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.2And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?3Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.4But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.5And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.6And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on the themes of humility, faith, and the consequences of our actions. The first reading from 2 Samuel recounts King David's decision to take a census of Israel, a act driven by pride and a desire for control. This decision, which Joab wisely questions, leads to a stern rebuke from God. David, recognizing his sin, humbly seeks forgiveness, and though consequences follow, his repentance is met with mercy. This story underscores the importance of acknowledging our limitations and trusting in God's providence rather than our own strength.
The Gospel from Mark presents a different yet complementary scenario. Jesus, teaching in His hometown, faces skepticism and offense from those who know Him as a carpenter. Their familiarity blinds them to His divine mission, highlighting the challenge of receiving grace when it appears in unexpected or humble forms. This passage reminds us that faith requires openness and trust, even when God's work seems ordinary or unremarkable.
Both readings remind us of the dangers of pride and the necessity of humility. Like David, we may sometimes overstep, thinking our plans superior to God's. Similarly, like the people of Nazareth, we might miss the divine in our midst due to our preconceptions. In our daily lives, let us cultivate humility, recognizing our need for God's guidance. May we approach each day with openness, trusting in God's plan and remaining attentive to His presence, even in the most unexpected places.