Daily Readings - Thu Jan 18 2018
1 Samuel
6When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with tambourines and lutes.7As they danced, they sang: "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands."8Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. "They have credited David with tens of thousands," he thought, "but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?"9And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.
1Saul told his son Jonathan and all the attendants to kill David. But Jonathan was very fond of David2and warned him, "My father Saul is looking for a chance to kill you. Be on your guard tomorrow morning; go into hiding and stay there.3I will go out and stand with my father in the field where you are. I'll speak to him about you and will tell you what I find out."4Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, "Let not the king do wrong to his servant David; he has not wronged you, and what he has done has benefited you greatly.5He took his life in his hands when he killed the Philistine. The LORD won a great victory for all Israel, and you saw it and were glad. Why then would you do wrong to an innocent man like David by killing him for no reason?"6Saul listened to Jonathan and took this oath: "As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be put to death."7So Jonathan called David and told him the whole conversation. He brought him to Saul, and David was with Saul as before.
Mark
7Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed.8When they heard all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon.9Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him.10For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him.11Whenever the evil spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, "You are the Son of God."12But he gave them strict orders not to tell who he was.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on jealousy, loyalty, and the divine plan. The first reading from 1 Samuel reveals the growing tension between King Saul and David. Saul, once celebrated as a warrior, becomes consumed by envy when David’s victory over Goliath earns him greater acclaim. The women’s song—“Saul has slain thousands, and David tens of thousands”—ignites Saul’s anger and insecurity. This jealousy leads him to plot against David, even though David has done nothing wrong. Yet, in the midst of this danger, we see the loyalty and courage of Jonathan, Saul’s own son, who stands up for David and pleads with his father to spare his life. Jonathan’s actions remind us of the importance of standing by the truth, even when it is difficult.
The Gospel reading from Mark offers a striking contrast. Jesus, having withdrawn to the sea with his disciples, is surrounded by a massive crowd eager to be healed and to hear his teachings. The unclean spirits recognize Jesus as the Son of God and fall prostrate before him, but Jesus silences them. This moment highlights the humility of Jesus, who, despite his divine power, does not seek to draw attention to himself. Instead, he focuses on healing and serving others. The contrast between Saul’s jealousy and Jesus’ humility is profound. While Saul’s fear of losing his status leads him to sin, Jesus’ humility and trust in God’s plan allow him to fulfill his mission without seeking glory for himself.
These readings call us to examine our own hearts and actions. Do we, like Saul, allow jealousy or insecurity to cloud our judgment and lead us astray? Or do we, like Jonathan, stand up for what is right, even when it is difficult? And do we, like Jesus, embrace humility and trust in God’s plan, even when the world seeks to elevate us? Let us ask for the grace to recognize God’s work in others, to remain loyal to the truth, and to serve with humility. May we trust in God’s plan, knowing that true greatness is found not in power or recognition, but in love and service to others.