Daily Catholic Mass Readings for January 29, 2026
First Reading: 2 Samuel 7.18-19, 24-29
18Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: "Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?19And as if this were not enough in your sight, O Sovereign LORD, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant. Is this your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign LORD?24You have established your people Israel as your very own forever, and you, O LORD, have become their God.25"And now, LORD God, keep forever the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house. Do as you promised,26so that your name will be great forever. Then men will say, 'The LORD Almighty is God over Israel!' And the house of your servant David will be established before you.27"O LORD Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant, saying, 'I will build a house for you.' So your servant has found courage to offer you this prayer.28O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant.29Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, O Sovereign LORD, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever."
Psalm 132
1O LORD, remember David and all the hardships he endured.2He swore an oath to the LORD and made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:3"I will not enter my house or go to my bed-4I will allow no sleep to my eyes, no slumber to my eyelids,5till I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob."6We heard it in Ephrathah, we came upon it in the fields of Jaar:7"Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool-8arise, O LORD, and come to your resting place, you and the ark of your might.9May your priests be clothed with righteousness; may your saints sing for joy."10For the sake of David your servant, do not reject your anointed one.11The LORD swore an oath to David, a sure oath that he will not revoke: "One of your own descendants I will place on your throne-12if your sons keep my covenant and the statutes I teach them, then their sons will sit on your throne for ever and ever."13For the LORD has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling:14"This is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it-15I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor will I satisfy with food.16I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints will ever sing for joy.17"Here I will make a horn grow for David and set up a lamp for my anointed one.18I will clothe his enemies with shame, but the crown on his head will be resplendent."
Gospel: Mark 4.21-25
21He said to them, "Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don't you put it on its stand?22For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.23If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."24"Consider carefully what you hear," he continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you--and even more.25Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him."
Sermon
In our first reading, we hear King David’s profound prayer of humble gratitude. Having just received God’s promise to establish his dynasty forever, a promise ultimately fulfilled in Christ, David is overwhelmed by divine generosity. He acknowledges his unworthiness and the boundless grace of God, praying for the eternal fulfillment of these words, knowing that God's promises are true and dependable. He recognizes the vastness of God's plan, a plan that extends far beyond his own lifetime, establishing an everlasting covenant with His people. This deep humility before God's incredible plan mirrors the expansive revelation Jesus speaks of in the Gospel.
Our Lord, in the Gospel of Mark, speaks about the purpose of light: it is meant to be displayed, not hidden. The Kingdom of God, and the truth of the Gospel, is a light meant to illuminate the world, not to be kept secret or concealed. He then offers a challenging insight: the measure by which we hear and accept this truth will be the measure by which it is given back to us, and more. To those who are receptive and engage with the divine light, more understanding and grace will be given. Conversely, from those who disregard or hide what they have received, even that small measure will be taken away. This connects powerfully with David's prayer; God's revelation to David was a light, a promise that he received with an open and grateful heart, ensuring its fulfillment and further blessing.
The readings call us to reflect on how we receive and respond to God's revelation in our own lives. Like David, we are recipients of immense grace and promises in Christ. Do we respond with such humble gratitude and trust? And like the lamp, are we allowing the light of our faith and the truth of the Gospel to shine brightly through our actions and words, or are we keeping it hidden, perhaps out of fear, indifference, or spiritual laziness? Jesus reminds us that our spiritual receptivity matters. To actively listen, to generously apply God’s word, and to courageously share our faith is to open ourselves to an outpouring of even greater blessings, allowing God’s eternal plan to work through us and magnify His name.