Daily Readings - Mon Jan 15 2018
1 Samuel
16"Stop!" Samuel said to Saul. "Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night.Tell me," Saul replied.17Samuel said, "Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel.18And he sent you on a mission, saying, 'Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; make war on them until you have wiped them out.'19Why did you not obey the LORD? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the LORD?"20"But I did obey the LORD," Saul said. "I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king.21The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal."22But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.23For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king."
Mark
18Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. Some people came and asked Jesus, "How is it that John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?"19Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them.20But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.21"No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse.22And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, he pours new wine into new wineskins."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful lessons about obedience and renewal. The first reading from 1 Samuel tells the story of Saul, the first king of Israel, who fails to obey God's command to destroy the Amalekites. Despite his excuses, Samuel makes it clear that obedience to God is more important than any sacrifice or offering. This story serves as a reminder that our actions must align with God's will, and disobedience can lead to serious consequences.
The Gospel reading from Mark presents Jesus addressing questions about fasting. He uses the parable of the groom and the wineskins to illustrate that His teachings bring a new era, requiring new approaches. Just as old wineskins cannot hold new wine, old traditions may not be suitable for the new covenant He is introducing. This teaches us about the importance of being open to change and renewal in our spiritual lives.
These readings connect through themes of obedience and adaptability. Saul's story emphasizes the gravity of disobeying God, while Jesus' parables highlight the need for openness to new spiritual directions. In our daily lives, we are called to listen to God's voice and remain flexible, embracing the Holy Spirit's guidance. The moral lesson here is clear: prioritize obedience and be open to change, allowing God to lead us in new and transformative ways.