Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 15, 2024
First Reading: 1 Samuel 15.16-23
16"Stop!" Samuel said to Saul. "Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night.Tell me," Saul replied.17Samuel said, "Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel.18And he sent you on a mission, saying, 'Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; make war on them until you have wiped them out.'19Why did you not obey the LORD? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the LORD?"20"But I did obey the LORD," Saul said. "I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king.21The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal."22But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.23For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king."
Psalm 50
1The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets.2From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth.3Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages.4He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people:5"Gather to me my consecrated ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice."6And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for God himself is judge. Selah7"Hear, O my people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you: I am God, your God.8I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.9I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens,10for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.11I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine.12If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.13Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?14Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High,15and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me."16But to the wicked, God says: "What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips?17You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you.18When you see a thief, you join with him; you throw in your lot with adulterers.19You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit.20You speak continually against your brother and slander your own mother's son.21These things you have done and I kept silent; you thought I was altogether like you. But I will rebuke you and accuse you to your face.22"Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with none to rescue:23He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God."
Gospel: Mark 2.18-22
18Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. Some people came and asked Jesus, "How is it that John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?"19Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them.20But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.21"No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse.22And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, he pours new wine into new wineskins."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful lessons that challenge us to reflect on our relationship with God and our spiritual practices. The first reading from 1 Samuel recounts the confrontation between Samuel and Saul, where Saul's partial obedience and self-justification lead to his rejection as king. Samuel emphasizes that obedience to God's will is far more important than outward acts of sacrifice or religious rituals. This story reminds us that true faith requires listening to and following God's voice, even when it is difficult or uncomfortable.
The Gospel reading from Mark presents Jesus addressing the question of fasting. Jesus uses the parables of the groom and the new cloth and wineskins to illustrate that His teachings bring a newness that cannot be contained within the old traditions. Just as new wine must be put into new wineskins, Jesus' message requires a fresh and open heart, willing to embrace change and growth. This challenges us to move beyond rigid practices and instead focus on the deeper spiritual renewal that Jesus offers.
Both readings invite us to examine our own lives. Are we like Saul, justifying our actions and holding onto what is familiar, or are we open to the new life and teachings that Jesus offers? Let us ask ourselves: Am I truly listening to God's voice and following His will, or am I content with superficial religious practices? May we have the courage to embrace the newness that Jesus brings, letting go of old ways and allowing His Spirit to transform us. In doing so, we will find a deeper connection with God and live more authentically as His disciples.