Daily Readings - Wed Jan 31 2024
2 Samuel
2So the king said to Joab and the army commanders with him, "Go throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and enroll the fighting men, so that I may know how many there are."9Joab reported the number of the fighting men to the king: In Israel there were eight hundred thousand able-bodied men who could handle a sword, and in Judah five hundred thousand.10David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the LORD, "I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O LORD, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing."11Before David got up the next morning, the word of the LORD had come to Gad the prophet, David's seer:12"Go and tell David, 'This is what the LORD says: I am giving you three options. Choose one of them for me to carry out against you.'"13So Gad went to David and said to him, "Shall there come upon you three years of famine in your land? Or three months of fleeing from your enemies while they pursue you? Or three days of plague in your land? Now then, think it over and decide how I should answer the one who sent me."14David said to Gad, "I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men."15So the LORD sent a plague on Israel from that morning until the end of the time designated, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beersheba died.16When the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the LORD was grieved because of the calamity and said to the angel who was afflicting the people, "Enough! Withdraw your hand." The angel of the LORD was then at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.17When David saw the angel who was striking down the people, he said to the LORD, "I am the one who has sinned and done wrong. These are but sheep. What have they done? Let your hand fall upon me and my family."
Mark
1Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples.2When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.3"Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him.4Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor."5He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.6And he was amazed at their lack of faith.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on the themes of humility, faith, and the consequences of our actions. The first reading from 2 Samuel recounts King David's decision to take a census of Israel, a act driven by pride and a desire for control. This decision, which Joab wisely questions, leads to a stern rebuke from God. David, recognizing his sin, humbly seeks forgiveness, and though consequences follow, his repentance is met with mercy. This story underscores the importance of acknowledging our limitations and trusting in God's providence rather than our own strength.
The Gospel from Mark presents a different yet complementary scenario. Jesus, teaching in His hometown, faces skepticism and offense from those who know Him as a carpenter. Their familiarity blinds them to His divine mission, highlighting the challenge of receiving grace when it appears in unexpected or humble forms. This passage reminds us that faith requires openness and trust, even when God's work seems ordinary or unremarkable.
Both readings remind us of the dangers of pride and the necessity of humility. Like David, we may sometimes overstep, thinking our plans superior to God's. Similarly, like the people of Nazareth, we might miss the divine in our midst due to our preconceptions. In our daily lives, let us cultivate humility, recognizing our need for God's guidance. May we approach each day with openness, trusting in God's plan and remaining attentive to His presence, even in the most unexpected places.