Daily Readings - Sat Jan 20 2018

First Reading - 2 Samuel 1.1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27

¹Now it happened that, after Saul died, David returned from the slaughter of Amalek, and he remained for two days at Ziklag²Then, on the third day, a man appeared, arriving from the camp of Saul, with his garments torn and dust sprinkled on his head. And when he came to David, he fell on his face, and he reverenced³And David said to him, "Where have you come from?" And he said to him, "I have fled from the camp of Israel.⁴And David said to him: "What is the word that has happened? Reveal it to me." And he said: "The people have fled from the battle, and many of the people have fallen and died. Moreover, Saul and his son Jonathan have passed away.¹¹Then David, taking hold of his garments, tore them, with all the men who were with him¹²And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until evening, over Saul and over his son Jonathan, and over the people of the Lord and over the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword¹⁹The illustrious of Israel have been killed upon your mountains. How could the valiant have fallen²³Saul and Jonathan, worthy to be loved, and stately in their life: even in death they were not divided. They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions²⁴O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you with scarlet finery, who offered ornaments of gold for your adornment²⁵How could the valiant have fallen in battle? How could Jonathan have been slain on the heights²⁶I grieve over you, my brother Jonathan: exceedingly stately, and worthy to be loved above the love of women. As a mother loves her only son, so also did I love you²⁷How could the robust have fallen, and the weapons of war have perished?

Gospel - Mark 3.20-21

Mark

Chapter 3

²⁰And they went to a house, and the crowd gathered together again, so much so that they were not even able to eat bread²¹And when his own had heard of it, they went out to take hold of him. For they said: "Because he has gone mad.

Sermon

In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on loyalty, sacrifice, and the challenges of following God’s will. The first reading from 2 Samuel presents David’s heartfelt lament over the death of King Saul and his son Jonathan. Despite Saul’s relentless pursuit of David, which had driven him into exile, David’s response is not one of triumph or relief but of profound grief. He tears his garments, weeps, and fasts, mourning not just the loss of a king but also the loss of a friend and brother. David’s lament is a testament to his deep humanity and his unwavering loyalty, even in the face of adversity. His words, “How could the valiant have fallen,” echo the universal human sorrow over the fragility of life and the fallenness of the world. The Gospel reading from Mark shifts our focus to Jesus, who is surrounded by a crowd so large that he and his disciples cannot even eat. When Jesus’ family hears about the commotion, they set out to restrain him, thinking he has gone mad. This passage highlights the tension between Jesus’ divine mission and the concerns of those closest to him. Like David, Jesus is misunderstood by those who should know him best. His family’s reaction reflects the human tendency to doubt or fear what we do not fully understand. Yet, Jesus’ unwavering commitment to his Father’s will shows us the cost of discipleship and the sacrifices required to follow God’s plan. Both readings remind us that faith often demands loyalty and perseverance in the face of misunderstanding or hardship. David’s lament teaches us the importance of compassion and integrity, even toward those who may have wronged us. Jesus’ example in Mark challenges us to remain faithful to our calling, even when others question our path. In our daily lives, we are called to embody this same spirit of loyalty and trust in God’s providence. Let us ask ourselves: Where am I being called to show compassion and integrity? How can I remain steadfast in my commitment to God, even when others do not understand? May we, like David and Jesus, trust in God’s plan and find the strength to follow Him, no matter the cost.