Daily Readings - Tue Jan 23 2018
2 Samuel
12Now King David was told, "The LORD has blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he has, because of the ark of God." So David went down and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing.13When those who were carrying the ark of the LORD had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf.14David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the LORD with all his might,15while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets.17They brought the ark of the LORD and set it in its place inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and David sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before the LORD.18After he had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD Almighty.19Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins to each person in the whole crowd of Israelites, both men and women. And all the people went to their homes.
Mark
31Then Jesus' mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him.32A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, "Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you."33"Who are my mother and my brothers?" he asked.34Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers!35Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful moments of faith and devotion. The first reading from 2 Samuel describes King David’s joyful procession as he brings the ark of the Lord into Jerusalem. The ark, a symbol of God’s presence among His people, is treated with reverence and celebration. David dances with abandon before the Lord, demonstrating his deep love and humility. This act of worship is not just a personal expression but a communal one, as all Israel gathers to rejoice in God’s presence. The reading concludes with David offering sacrifices and distributing gifts to the people, emphasizing the unity and gratitude that flow from worshiping God together.
The Gospel reading from Mark presents a different kind of challenge. Jesus is informed that His mother and brothers are outside, seeking Him. In response, He expands the definition of family beyond blood ties, declaring that those who do the will of God are His true brothers, sisters, and mother. This teaching underscores the radical nature of the Kingdom of God, where spiritual bonds take precedence over earthly ones. It is not about rejecting family, but about recognizing that our ultimate allegiance belongs to God and that our spiritual family is just as real and vital as our biological one.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and with one another. David’s example shows us the importance of rejoicing in God’s presence and living with humility and gratitude. Jesus’ words remind us that our truest identity comes from doing God’s will and belonging to His family. In our daily lives, let us strive to live with the same joy and abandon as David, and let us embrace the broader vision of family that Jesus offers. May we find our deepest fulfillment in living as children of God, united in love and purpose with all who seek to follow Him.