Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 23, 2020
First Reading: 1 Samuel 18.6-9; 19.1-7
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.
Psalm 56
1Be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me; all day long they press their attack.2My slanderers pursue me all day long; many are attacking me in their pride.3When I am afraid, I will trust in you.4In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?5All day long they twist my words; they are always plotting to harm me.6They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps, eager to take my life.7On no account let them escape; in your anger, O God, bring down the nations.8Record my lament; list my tears on your scroll - are they not in your record?9Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me.10In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise-11in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?12I am under vows to you, O God; I will present my thank offerings to you.13For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
Gospel: Mark 3.7-12
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
The readings today present us with two very different scenarios, both of which invite us to reflect on the human condition and the ways of God. In the first reading, from 1 Samuel, we see the beginning of the tension between King Saul and David. Saul, once celebrated as a hero, becomes consumed by jealousy and anger when the people praise David for his victory over Goliath. This jealousy leads Saul to plot against David’s life, even though David has done nothing wrong. Jonathan, Saul’s own son, stands in defense of David, pleading with his father not to harm him. This story reminds us of the destructive power of envy and the importance of loyalty and justice.
In the Gospel, from Mark, we encounter a very different kind of leadership. Jesus, having withdrawn to the sea with his disciples, is surrounded by a great crowd of people from all over. They come to him because of his healing power, and even the unclean spirits recognize him as the Son of God. Yet, Jesus admonishes them not to reveal his identity. This passage highlights Jesus’ humility and his focus on his mission over human recognition. While Saul’s jealousy leads to division and harm, Jesus’ humility draws people to him and fosters unity.
These readings call us to reflect on our own attitudes and actions. Like Saul, we can sometimes allow jealousy or pride to cloud our judgment and harm others. But Jesus shows us a different way: a way of humility, compassion, and trust in God’s plan. As we go about our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Are we like Saul, letting envy or fear guide us? Or are we striving to be like Jesus, who sought not his own glory but the will of his Father? May we cultivate humility and trust in God, even when the world around us seems to value power and recognition.