Daily Readings - Wed Jan 31 2018
2 Samuel
2So the king said to Joab and the army commanders with him, "Go throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and enroll the fighting men, so that I may know how many there are."9Joab reported the number of the fighting men to the king: In Israel there were eight hundred thousand able-bodied men who could handle a sword, and in Judah five hundred thousand.10David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the LORD, "I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O LORD, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing."11Before David got up the next morning, the word of the LORD had come to Gad the prophet, David's seer:12"Go and tell David, 'This is what the LORD says: I am giving you three options. Choose one of them for me to carry out against you.'"13So Gad went to David and said to him, "Shall there come upon you three years of famine in your land? Or three months of fleeing from your enemies while they pursue you? Or three days of plague in your land? Now then, think it over and decide how I should answer the one who sent me."14David said to Gad, "I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men."15So the LORD sent a plague on Israel from that morning until the end of the time designated, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beersheba died.16When the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the LORD was grieved because of the calamity and said to the angel who was afflicting the people, "Enough! Withdraw your hand." The angel of the LORD was then at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.17When David saw the angel who was striking down the people, he said to the LORD, "I am the one who has sinned and done wrong. These are but sheep. What have they done? Let your hand fall upon me and my family."
Mark
1Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples.2When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.3"Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him.4Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor."5He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.6And he was amazed at their lack of faith.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on trust, faith, and humility. The first reading from 2 Samuel recounts David's decision to count the people of Israel, a act that stems from a lack of trust in God's providence. This action is met with divine displeasure, leading David to choose a punishment. Opting for three days of pestilence, David's repentance and the people's suffering move God to relent, demonstrating the power of humility and prayer.
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus faces rejection in his hometown, where the people's familiarity with him as a carpenter blinds them to his divine mission. Their unbelief hinders Jesus's ability to perform miracles, except for healing a few. This narrative underscores the challenge of recognizing God's presence in humble circumstances and the importance of faith in witnessing divine works.
These readings remind us to trust in God's plan and remain open to His presence, even in unexpected forms. Like David, we must acknowledge our shortcomings and seek mercy. Like the people of Nazareth, we must guard against letting familiarity or doubt obscure our faith. May we cultivate humility and trust, allowing God's grace to transform our lives and communities.