Daily Readings - Thu Jan 18 2024
1 Samuel
6When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with tambourines and lutes.7As they danced, they sang: "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands."8Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. "They have credited David with tens of thousands," he thought, "but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?"9And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.
1Saul told his son Jonathan and all the attendants to kill David. But Jonathan was very fond of David2and warned him, "My father Saul is looking for a chance to kill you. Be on your guard tomorrow morning; go into hiding and stay there.3I will go out and stand with my father in the field where you are. I'll speak to him about you and will tell you what I find out."4Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, "Let not the king do wrong to his servant David; he has not wronged you, and what he has done has benefited you greatly.5He took his life in his hands when he killed the Philistine. The LORD won a great victory for all Israel, and you saw it and were glad. Why then would you do wrong to an innocent man like David by killing him for no reason?"6Saul listened to Jonathan and took this oath: "As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be put to death."7So Jonathan called David and told him the whole conversation. He brought him to Saul, and David was with Saul as before.
Mark
7Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed.8When they heard all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon.9Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him.10For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him.11Whenever the evil spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, "You are the Son of God."12But he gave them strict orders not to tell who he was.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two distinct narratives that invite us to reflect on jealousy, humility, and trust in God. The first reading from 1 Samuel portrays David's triumph over the Philistine, which sparks Saul's jealousy. The women's praise of David's victory angers Saul, leading him to plot against David. However, Jonathan's loyalty and intervention highlight the contrast between Saul's jealousy and Jonathan's steadfast friendship. This narrative underscores the human struggle with envy and the importance of loyalty.
In the Gospel of Mark, we see Jesus surrounded by crowds seeking healing and recognition. Despite the unclean spirits acknowledging him as the Son of God, Jesus remains humble, instructing them not to reveal his identity. This humility and focus on his mission serve as a counterpoint to Saul's jealousy. Jesus's actions emphasize trust in God's plan and the importance of humility over human ambition.
These readings relate through their exploration of human emotions and divine humility. Saul's jealousy contrasts with Jonathan's loyalty, while Jesus's humility and focus on his mission offer a divine model. In our lives, we are called to recognize and manage our emotions, choosing humility and trust in God. Like Jonathan, we can stand by others in loyalty and truth, and like Jesus, we can remain humble, trusting in God's plan. Let us strive to embody these virtues, fostering a spirit of humility and trust in our daily lives.