Daily Readings - Mon Jan 24 2022
2 Samuel
1All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "We are your own flesh and blood.2In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the LORD said to you, 'You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.'"3When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a compact with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel.4David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.5In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.6The king and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, "You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off." They thought, "David cannot get in here."7Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion, the City of David.10And he became more and more powerful, because the LORD God Almighty was with him.
Mark
22And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, "He is possessed by Beelzebub! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons."23So Jesus called them and spoke to them in parables: "How can Satan drive out Satan?24If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.25If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.26And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come.27In fact, no one can enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can rob his house.28I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them.29But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin."30He said this because they were saying, "He has an evil spirit."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on leadership, opposition, and the presence of God in our lives. The first reading from 2 Samuel describes David’s anointing as king over all Israel, emphasizing God’s plan and presence with him as he establishes his reign in Jerusalem. Despite initial resistance from the Jebusites, David trusts in God’s strength and guidance, and he prospers. The Gospel from Mark presents a different kind of conflict: Jesus is accused by the scribes of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons. Jesus responds with a parable about the impossibility of a kingdom divided against itself, asserting that his power comes not from Satan but from God. He then warns about the gravity of blaspheming the Holy Spirit, a sin that cannot be forgiven.
Both readings highlight the theme of opposition to God’s work. In the first reading, David faces physical enemies, but his trust in God allows him to overcome. In the Gospel, Jesus faces spiritual opposition, as his enemies attribute his divine power to evil. Together, these passages remind us that God’s plan often encounters resistance, but His presence and power ultimately prevail. Jesus’ words about the Holy Spirit call us to discernment, urging us not to attribute God’s work to darkness but to recognize the divine hand at work in our lives.
As we reflect on these readings, let us consider how we face challenges in our own lives. Do we trust in God’s presence and strength, like David, or do we allow fear and doubt to dominate? Let us also examine our attitudes toward God’s work in the world. Are we quick to judge or dismiss the ways in which God is acting, or do we approach His work with humility and openness? Jesus’ warning about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit reminds us of the seriousness of closing our hearts to God’s truth. May we seek to align our wills with God’s, trusting in His plan and seeking His guidance in all we do.