Daily Readings - Fri Jan 19 2018
1 Samuel
2So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats.3He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave.4The men said, "This is the day the LORD spoke of when he said to you, 'I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.'" Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul's robe.5Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe.6He said to his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD's anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the LORD."7With these words David rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.8Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, "My lord the king!" When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground.9He said to Saul, "Why do you listen when men say, 'David is bent on harming you'?10This day you have seen with your own eyes how the LORD delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, 'I will not lift my hand against my master, because he is the LORD's anointed.'11See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. Now understand and recognize that I am not guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life.12May the LORD judge between you and me. And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you.13As the old saying goes, 'From evildoers come evil deeds,' so my hand will not touch you.14"Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea?15May the LORD be our judge and decide between us. May he consider my cause and uphold it; may he vindicate me by delivering me from your hand."16When David finished saying this, Saul asked, "Is that your voice, David my son?" And he wept aloud.17"You are more righteous than I," he said. "You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly.18You have just now told me of the good you did to me; the LORD delivered me into your hands, but you did not kill me.19When a man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the LORD reward you well for the way you treated me today.20I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands.21Now swear to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father's family."
Mark
13Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him.14He appointed twelve--designating them apostles--that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach15and to have authority to drive out demons.16These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter);17James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder);18Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot19and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that guide us in our spiritual journey. The first reading from 1 Samuel 24:2-21 tells the story of David, who, despite having the perfect opportunity to kill Saul, his persecutor, chooses mercy. David's actions reveal his deep trust in God's plan and his respect for Saul's divine anointing. This episode underscores the theme of mercy and trust in divine providence.
The Gospel reading, Mark 3:13-19, shifts our focus to Jesus, who gathers His twelve apostles, empowering them to spread His message and heal. This passage highlights the importance of community and collaboration in fulfilling God's mission. Jesus' selection of the apostles demonstrates His trust in them and His desire to work through a united group to bring His message to the world.
Both readings connect through the theme of trust in God's plan and the value of community. David's mercy and Jesus' establishment of the apostles illustrate how trusting in God leads to meaningful action. David trusted God to handle Saul, while Jesus trusted His disciples to carry on His work. This teaches us to trust in God's timing and to work together in our spiritual journeys.
In our daily lives, these lessons encourage us to embrace mercy and trust. When faced with challenges, we can choose to act with compassion, just as David did. Additionally, recognizing the strength in community, we should support one another in our shared mission to live out our faith. The moral and spiritual reflection here is clear: trust in God's plan, show mercy, and value the power of community. Let us strive to embody these virtues, trusting that God will guide us and that together, we can achieve great things for His glory.