Daily Readings - Mon Jan 15 2024
1 Samuel
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."
Mark
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.