Daily Readings - Thu Jan 11 2018
1 Samuel
1And Samuel's word came to all Israel. Now the Israelites went out to fight against the Philistines. The Israelites camped at Ebenezer, and the Philistines at Aphek.2The Philistines deployed their forces to meet Israel, and as the battle spread, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand of them on the battlefield.3When the soldiers returned to camp, the elders of Israel asked, "Why did the LORD bring defeat upon us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the LORD's covenant from Shiloh, so that it may go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies."4So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the LORD Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim. And Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.5When the ark of the LORD's covenant came into the camp, all Israel raised such a great shout that the ground shook.6Hearing the uproar, the Philistines asked, "What's all this shouting in the Hebrew camp?" When they learned that the ark of the LORD had come into the camp,7the Philistines were afraid. "A god has come into the camp," they said. "We're in trouble! Nothing like this has happened before.8Woe to us! Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? They are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the desert.9Be strong, Philistines! Be men, or you will be subject to the Hebrews, as they have been to you. Be men, and fight!"10So the Philistines fought, and the Israelites were defeated and every man fled to his tent. The slaughter was very great; Israel lost thirty thousand foot soldiers.11The ark of God was captured, and Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, died.
Mark
40A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."41Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!"42Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.43Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning:44"See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them."45Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, trust, and our relationship with God. In the first reading from 1 Samuel, we see the Israelites facing defeat at the hands of the Philistines. Despite their confidence in the Ark of the Covenant, which they believed would guarantee their victory, they suffer a devastating loss. The Ark, a symbol of God’s presence, is even captured, and the sons of Eli perish. This story reminds us that mere symbols of faith, without a deeper connection to God, are insufficient. The Israelites relied on the Ark as a magical solution rather than seeking a genuine relationship with the Lord.
In the Gospel, we encounter a very different kind of faith. A leper, marginalized and suffering, approaches Jesus with humility and trust. He doesn’t demand healing but simply asks, “If you are willing, you are able to cleanse me.” Jesus, moved by compassion, reaches out and heals him. This moment highlights the power of sincere faith and the transformative love of God. Unlike the Israelites, who trusted in the Ark but neglected their relationship with God, the leper trusts in Jesus’ willingness to act, and his faith is rewarded.
These readings challenge us to examine our own faith. Do we, like the Israelites, rely on external symbols or rituals without nurturing a deeper connection to God? Or do we, like the leper, approach God with humility and trust, recognizing His power and love? In our daily lives, we are called to move beyond superficial expressions of faith and instead cultivate a personal, heartfelt relationship with the Lord. Let us trust in His goodness, even in the midst of uncertainty, and allow His love to transform us.