Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 29, 2026
First Reading: 2 Samuel 7.18-19, 24-29
18Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?19And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD?24For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people unto thee for ever: and thou, LORD, art become their God.25And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said.26And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee.27For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.28And now, O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:29Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.
Psalm 132
1A Song of degrees. LORD, remember David, and all his afflictions:2How he sware unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob;3Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed;4I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids,5Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.6Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood.7We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.8Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.9Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.10For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.11The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.12If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.13For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.14This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.15I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.16I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.17There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.18His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.
Gospel: Mark 4.21-25
21And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?22For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.23If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.24And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.25For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.
Sermon
In our first reading, we hear King David’s profound prayer of humble gratitude. Having just received God’s promise to establish his dynasty forever, a promise ultimately fulfilled in Christ, David is overwhelmed by divine generosity. He acknowledges his unworthiness and the boundless grace of God, praying for the eternal fulfillment of these words, knowing that God's promises are true and dependable. He recognizes the vastness of God's plan, a plan that extends far beyond his own lifetime, establishing an everlasting covenant with His people. This deep humility before God's incredible plan mirrors the expansive revelation Jesus speaks of in the Gospel.
Our Lord, in the Gospel of Mark, speaks about the purpose of light: it is meant to be displayed, not hidden. The Kingdom of God, and the truth of the Gospel, is a light meant to illuminate the world, not to be kept secret or concealed. He then offers a challenging insight: the measure by which we hear and accept this truth will be the measure by which it is given back to us, and more. To those who are receptive and engage with the divine light, more understanding and grace will be given. Conversely, from those who disregard or hide what they have received, even that small measure will be taken away. This connects powerfully with David's prayer; God's revelation to David was a light, a promise that he received with an open and grateful heart, ensuring its fulfillment and further blessing.
The readings call us to reflect on how we receive and respond to God's revelation in our own lives. Like David, we are recipients of immense grace and promises in Christ. Do we respond with such humble gratitude and trust? And like the lamp, are we allowing the light of our faith and the truth of the Gospel to shine brightly through our actions and words, or are we keeping it hidden, perhaps out of fear, indifference, or spiritual laziness? Jesus reminds us that our spiritual receptivity matters. To actively listen, to generously apply God’s word, and to courageously share our faith is to open ourselves to an outpouring of even greater blessings, allowing God’s eternal plan to work through us and magnify His name.