Daily Readings - Mon Feb 03 2020
2 Samuel
13A messenger came and told David, "The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom."14Then David said to all his officials who were with him in Jerusalem, "Come! We must flee, or none of us will escape from Absalom. We must leave immediately, or he will move quickly to overtake us and bring ruin upon us and put the city to the sword."30But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went; his head was covered and he was barefoot. All the people with him covered their heads too and were weeping as they went up.
5As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Saul's family came out from there. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he cursed as he came out.6He pelted David and all the king's officials with stones, though all the troops and the special guard were on David's right and left.7As he cursed, Shimei said, "Get out, get out, you man of blood, you scoundrel!8The LORD has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The LORD has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a man of blood!"9Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head."10But the king said, "What do you and I have in common, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the LORD said to him, 'Curse David,' who can ask, 'Why do you do this?'"11David then said to Abishai and all his officials, "My son, who is of my own flesh, is trying to take my life. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the LORD has told him to.12It may be that the LORD will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today."13So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt.
Mark
1They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes.2When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him.3This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain.4For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him.5Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.6When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him.7He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me!"8For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!"9Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?"10"My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many." And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.11A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside.12The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them."13He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.14Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened.15When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.16Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man--and told about the pigs as well.17Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.18As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him.19Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you."20So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, trust, and God's providence amidst suffering.
First, we see King David in a moment of deep vulnerability. Faced with betrayal by his own son, Absalom, David chooses humility over retaliation. As Shimei curses him, David's response is one of trust in God's plan, acknowledging that his affliction might be a divine allowance. His humility and acceptance exemplify a deep faith in God's justice and mercy.
In the Gospel, we meet a man tormented by many demons, known as Legion. Jesus frees him, demonstrating His power over evil. The man, now at peace, is commissioned to share his story, spreading the news of God's mercy. This narrative highlights the transformative power of faith and the call to witness to God's grace.
Both stories connect through the theme of trusting God during suffering. David's humility and the man's liberation illustrate that our trials, though daunting, are opportunities to trust in God's plan. In our own struggles, we are called to embrace faith, knowing that God's providence can turn our darkness into light. Let us, like David, humbly trust in God's plan and, like the healed man, share the story of God's mercy in our lives.