Saturday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 316
Reading 1
2 Samuel 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27
David returned from his defeat of the Amalekites
and spent two days in Ziklag.
On the third day a man came from Saul’s camp,
with his clothes torn and dirt on his head.
Going to David, he fell to the ground in homage.
David asked him, “Where do you come from?”
He replied, “I have escaped from the camp of the children of Israel.”
“Tell me what happened,” David bade him.
He answered that many of the soldiers had fled the battle
and that many of them had fallen and were dead,
among them Saul and his son Jonathan.
David seized his garments and rent them,
and all the men who were with him did likewise.
They mourned and wept and fasted until evening
for Saul and his son Jonathan,
and for the soldiers of the LORD of the clans of Israel,
because they had fallen by the sword.
“Alas! the glory of Israel, Saul,
slain upon your heights;
how can the warriors have fallen!
“Saul and Jonathan, beloved and cherished,
separated neither in life nor in death,
swifter than eagles, stronger than lions!
Women of Israel, weep over Saul,
who clothed you in scarlet and in finery,
who decked your attire with ornaments of gold.
“How can the warriors have fallen–
in the thick of the battle,
slain upon your heights!
“I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother!
most dear have you been to me;
more precious have I held love for you than love for women.
“How can the warriors have fallen,
the weapons of war have perished!”
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 80:2-3, 5-7
R. (4b) Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
O guide of the flock of Joseph!
From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth
before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
Rouse your power,
and come to save us.
R. Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.
O LORD of hosts, how long will you burn with anger
while your people pray?
You have fed them with the bread of tears
and given them tears to drink in ample measure.
You have left us to be fought over by our neighbors,
and our enemies mock us.
R. Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.
Alleluia
See Acts 16:14b
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Open our hearts, O Lord,
to listen to the words of your Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Mark 3:20-21
Jesus came with his disciples into the house.
Again the crowd gathered,
making it impossible for them even to eat.
When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him,
for they said, “He is out of his mind.”
Reflection 1
Catholic Daily Reflections
Being Misunderstood
Jesus came with his disciples into the house. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” Mark 3:20–21
When you consider the sufferings of Jesus, most likely your thoughts first turn to the crucifixion. From there, you may think about His scourging at the pillar, the carrying of the Cross and the other events that took place from the time of His arrest until His death. However, there were many other human sufferings that our Lord endured for our good and the good of all. The Gospel passage above presents us with one such experience.
Though physical pain is quite undesirable, there are other sufferings that can be just as difficult to endure, if not more difficult. One such suffering is being misunderstood and treated by your own family as if you were out of your mind. In Jesus’ case, it appears as if many of His extended family, not including His own mother of course, were quite vocally critical of Jesus. Perhaps they were jealous of Him and had some form of envy, or perhaps they were embarrassed by all the attention He was getting. Whatever the case may be, it’s clear that Jesus’ own relatives tried to prevent Him from ministering to the people who deeply longed to be with Him. Some of His extended family members made up the story that Jesus was “out of his mind” and sought to put an end to His popularity.
Family life should be a community of love, but for some it becomes a source of sorrow and hurt. Why did Jesus allow Himself to endure this form of suffering? In part, to be able to relate with any and every suffering you endure as a result of your own family. Additionally, His endurance of it also redeemed this form of suffering, making it possible for your family hurt to share in that redemption and grace. Thus, when you turn to God in prayer with your family struggles, you will be consoled to know that the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity, Jesus, the Eternal Son of God, understands your suffering from His own human experience. He knows the pain so many family members feel from first-hand experience. And He is able to look at every family suffering with the utmost compassion so as to give each person who asks the grace they need to not only endure that suffering but also to use it for good and for God’s glory.
Reflect, today, upon any way that you need to surrender some hurt within your own family over to God. Turn to our Lord Who fully understands your struggles and invite His powerful and compassionate presence into your life so that He can transform all that you endure into His grace and mercy.
Reflection 2
One Bread. One Body
NEVER ALONE
“You have fed them with the bread of tears and given them tears to drink in ample measure.” —Psalm 80:6
Jesus is having a rough day. The Pharisees and Herodians are plotting to destroy Him (Mk 3:6). Jesus’ relatives are trying to probate Him by charging: “He is out of His mind” (Mk 3:21). The scribes are asserting that Jesus is possessed by the devil (Mk 3:22). The apostles whom Jesus just chose are not mentioned. Shortly afterward we hear of them and they’re terrified by a storm and lacking in faith (Mk 4:40). Jesus is being attacked from all sides — relatives, the government, the religious establishment. He faces a barrage of enemies, apparently all by Himself.
Does this sound familiar? Maybe you have many rough days. Do you often find yourself bombarded from all sides and yet also find yourself all alone? Jesus had the twelve apostles, but they weren’t much help. You may have a spouse, children, family, and friends, but where are they when you need them? No matter what, Jesus will always be there for you (Mt 28:20). Even if your mother forsakes you, He will never leave you (Is 49:15). Jesus explicitly asserts: “No one who comes will I ever reject” (Jn 6:37).
Prayer: Jesus, because of Your love I can never be alone (Jn 16:32). Thank You.
Promise: “O Lord of hosts, restore us; if Your face shine upon us, then we shall be safe.” —Ps 80:7
Praise: St. Sebastian was healed and restored from an attempted execution so he could confront the emperor again, giving a double witness to his faith in Jesus.
Reflection 3
Shared from God's Word
The Gospel Reading is very short, comprising of two verses but with greater implications. It deals with the busy activities of public ministry of Jesus up to the point of not even having time to eat. And the negative reaction of his family to the extent of misunderstanding him as having gone out of his mind. The Gospel emphasizes the activity of Jesus in Capernaum where he lived. The intensity of Jesus’ activity is emphasized by saying that the crowd came together so that Jesus and his disciples could not even eat. The crowd wanted that Jesus be there for them. Then comes the conflict with his family. They thought that he needs to be restrained and protected as things had gone too far. They think that he is so crazy as to hamper family honour. They could not understand the preaching and breaking of God’s Kingdom. The priorities of God’s Kingdom can turn our everyday life upside down. Do our family ties help active participation in the life of the Church?
Prayers
My compassionate Lord, You endured much in this world, including the rejection and ridicule of those in Your own family. I offer to You my own family and especially the hurt that has been present. Please come and redeem all family struggles and bring healing and hope to me and to all those who need it the most. Jesus, I trust in You.
Lord Jesus, may I always put you first and find joy in doing your will. May your love and charity grow in me, especially in the face of opposition and adversity.
Daily Reflections on Divine Mercy
Reflection 20: Give Your Life to Jesus Every Day
Once Jesus has accepted you and taken possession of your soul, do not worry about what is next. Do not expect life to change dramatically right away, but do not be surprised if it does. All that matters is that you daily renew the gift of yourself to His merciful Heart and that you allow Him to daily renew His acceptance of you in His Heart (See Diary #15).
Look, today, at how often you renew the total giving of yourself to Jesus. Do you do this daily? Have you done so today already? Make this a daily habit and let the Lord work miracles in your life.
Lord, I do renew my total self-giving to You this day and every day. May I turn to You always and abandon myself to You in every circumstance of life. Jesus, I trust in You.
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