Daily Bible Readings - January 21, 2012

1st READING

David loses both a great friend, Jonathan, and his rival, Saul, in the same battle. He is stricken by both their deaths. David’s respect for Saul is derived directly from his respect for God. David believed that God had anointed Saul as king and thus respect was due Saul, even though Saul had declared David his enemy. We should learn about the respect we owe those who have been given authority over us. While we do not have to accept their sins, we should always respect the office they have as it has been given to them by none other than God.

2 Samuel 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27
1 David returned from his defeat of the Amalekites and spent two days in Ziklag. 2 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. 3 David asked him, “Where do you come from?” He replied, “I have escaped from the camp of the children of Israel.” 4 “Tell me what happened,” David bade him. He answered that the soldiers had fled the battle and that many of them had fallen and were dead, among them Saul and his son Jonathan. 11 David seized his garments and rent them, and all the men who were with him did likewise. 12 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. 19 “Alas! the glory of Israel, Saul, slain upon your heights; how can the warriors have fallen! 23 “Saul and Jonathan, beloved and cherished, separated neither in life nor in death, swifter than eagles, stronger than lions! 24 Women of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet and in finery, who decked your attire with ornaments of gold. 25 “How can the warriors have fallen — in the thick of the battle, slain upon your heights! 26 “ 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. 27 “How can the warriors have fallen, the weapons of war have perished!”

P S A L M

Psalm 80:2-3, 5-7
R: Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.
2 O shepherd of Israel, hearken, O guide of the flock of Joseph! From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth 3 before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. Rouse your power, and come to save us. (R) 5 O Lord of hosts, how long will you burn with anger while your people pray? 6 You have fed them with the bread of tears and given them tears to drink in ample measure. 7 You have left us to be fought over by our neighbors, and our enemies mock us. (R)

GOSPEL

It must have been hard for the relatives of Jesus to come to terms with His popularity and His following. Remember, they have grown up with Him and known Him through and through. I think it is relatively easy to see how they might think His fame has gone to His head, at least initially. Hopefully, after a while, they, too, will come to realize that He is all that He says He is in terms of the Gospel.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of your Son.

Mark 3:20-21
20 Jesus came with his disciples into the house. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. 21 When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

SSING
LIST
think: We should learn about the respect we owe those who have been given
authority over us.

1st READING 2nd READING
T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

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God’s special verse/thought for me today________________
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Luke 22-24