Daily Readings - Tue Jan 28 2020
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 profound expressions of faith and devotion. The first reading from 2 Samuel recounts the joyful procession of King David as he brings the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. The Ark, a symbol of God’s presence among His people, is treated with reverence and celebration. David’s dance before the Lord, though unconventional, reflects his deep faith and joy in worship. His generosity in offering sacrifices and distributing food to all emphasizes his gratitude and recognition of God’s blessings.
In the Gospel, Jesus expands our understanding of family and belonging. When his biological relatives arrive, Jesus declares that his true family consists of those who do the will of God. This teaching challenges us to prioritize our spiritual relationships and to recognize that our ultimate allegiance is to God. Jesus’ words remind us that faith transcends blood ties, calling us to live according to God’s plan and purpose.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our commitment to God and how we express that commitment in our lives. Like David, we are called to worship with joy and generosity, trusting in God’s presence and provision. Like Jesus, we are reminded that our true identity and belonging are rooted in doing God’s will. Let us strive to live with faith, trust, and a willingness to follow God’s plan, knowing that we are part of a larger spiritual family united in His love.