Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 22, 2026
First Reading: 1 Samuel 18.6-9; 19.1-7
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.
Psalm 56
1Be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me; all day long they press their attack.2My slanderers pursue me all day long; many are attacking me in their pride.3When I am afraid, I will trust in you.4In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?5All day long they twist my words; they are always plotting to harm me.6They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps, eager to take my life.7On no account let them escape; in your anger, O God, bring down the nations.8Record my lament; list my tears on your scroll - are they not in your record?9Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me.10In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise-11in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?12I am under vows to you, O God; I will present my thank offerings to you.13For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
Gospel: Mark 3.7-12
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
The first reading reveals the immediate aftermath of David’s triumph, showcasing King Saul’s swift descent into envy. Despite David’s loyalty and service, the popular acclamation of David’s victories over his own ignited a dangerous jealousy in Saul, leading him to plot David’s death. It is in this dark moment that Jonathan, Saul’s own son, emerges as a figure of profound loyalty and moral courage, interceding for David and reminding his father of David’s innocence and God’s favor. Meanwhile, the Gospel of Mark presents Jesus at the height of his early ministry, surrounded by vast crowds from all regions, drawn by his healing power. So great was the demand that he required a boat to manage the multitude, as people pressed in just to touch him and be cured. Even the unclean spirits recognized his divine identity, crying out "You are the Son of God," only to be silenced by Jesus, who maintained control over the revelation of his mission.
Both passages speak to the profound impact of those favored by God. In 1 Samuel, we witness the destructive power of envy, illustrating how it can corrupt a leader’s heart and incite violence, while Jonathan’s actions stand as a testament to courageous love and selfless intercession. His willingness to speak truth to power and risk his own position for the sake of his friend is a powerful example for us today, reminding us to stand for justice and defend the innocent. In the Gospel, we see the boundless compassion of Christ, who draws all humanity to himself for healing. The pressing crowds seeking relief mirror the deep spiritual and physical needs of our own world. Jesus’ strategic withdrawal and his silencing of the demons emphasize his divine authority and wisdom in revealing his identity and mission on his own terms, rather than succumbing to popular demand or demonic recognition.
Reflecting on these accounts, we are challenged to examine our own hearts. Do we, like Saul, harbor envy when others are celebrated or succeed, allowing it to poison our relationships and darken our spirit? Or do we, like Jonathan, embody courageous love, interceding for others and championing what is right, even at personal cost? Furthermore, we are called to approach Jesus, the ultimate healer, with the same earnest desire as the crowds, recognizing him as the Son of God not merely through words, but through our trust and willingness to be transformed by his grace. In a world full of suffering and division, let us seek healing from Christ and be inspired to be instruments of courageous love and truth, reflecting his light to those around us.