Daily Readings - Fri Jan 17 2020
1 Samuel
4So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah.5They said to him, "You are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have."6But when they said, "Give us a king to lead us," this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD.7And the LORD told him: "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.10Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king.11He said, "This is what the king who will reign over you will do: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots.12Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots.13He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers.14He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants.15He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants.16Your menservants and maidservants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use.17He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves.18When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day."19But the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We want a king over us.20Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles."21When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD.22The LORD answered, "Listen to them and give them a king." Then Samuel said to the men of Israel, "Everyone go back to his town."
Mark
1A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home.2So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them.3Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them.4Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on.5When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."6Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves,7"Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"8Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things?9Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'?10But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." He said to the paralytic,11"I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home."12He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on authority, faith, and the consequences of our choices. The first reading from 1 Samuel recounts the Israelites' demand for a king, seeking to emulate other nations. Despite Samuel's warnings about the oppressive nature of human rule, the people insist on a monarchy, rejecting God's direct leadership. This pivotal moment in Israel's history underscores the tension between human ambition and divine governance.
The Gospel from Mark presents a contrasting narrative of authority, as Jesus demonstrates His divine power by forgiving sins and healing a paralytic man. The faith of the man's friends leads to his physical and spiritual restoration, highlighting the transformative power of trust in God. This episode not only affirms Jesus' authority but also illustrates the redemptive nature of His mission.
These readings relate through their exploration of authority—Israel's rejection of God's leadership versus Jesus' divine authority. The Israelites' choice leads to earthly oppression, while Jesus' authority brings liberation and healing. In our lives, we face similar choices: to follow our desires or submit to God's will. The moral lesson is clear: trusting in God's plan, rather than our own understanding, leads to true freedom and fulfillment. Let us embrace Jesus' authority, for in Him lies the power to forgive and heal, guiding us toward a life of faith and trust in God.