Daily Readings for January 23, 2018

1ST READING

We can get overwhelmed by joy about something God has done for us, and desire to praise Him for His goodness. David danced with abandon before the Ark of the Covenant as he brought it into the city. He knew that the hand of God was at work in his life as a successful general of his troops. In today’s reading, David celebrated his victories with the Lord and enjoyed it immensely.

2 Samuel 6:12-15, 17-19

12 David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the City of David amid festivities. 13 As soon as the bearers of the ark of the Lord had advanced six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling. 14 Then David, girt with a linen apron, came dancing before the Lord with abandon, 15 as he and all the house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts of joy and to the sound of the horn. 17 The ark of the Lord was brought in and set in its place within the tent David had pitched for it. Then David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord. 18 When he finished making these offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts. 19 He then distributed among all the people, to each man and each woman in the entire multitude of Israel, a loaf of bread, a cut of roast meat, and a raisin cake. With this, all the people left for their homes.

P S A L M

Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10

R: Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!

7 Lift up, O gates, your lintels; reach up, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may come in! (R) 8 Who is this king of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle. (R) 9 Lift up, O gates, your lintels; reach up, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may come in! (R) 10 Who is this king of glory? The Lord of hosts; he is the king of glory. (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus teaches us that obedience is the first and foremost characteristic of a disciple. Everything stems from obedience to the Lord’s will. Without obedience and structure, our life becomes chaotic, ruled by every fad and whim of the human heart. Obedience sets us free and safeguards our free will.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.

Mark 3:31-35

31 The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house. Standing outside they sent word to Jesus and called him. 32 A crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.” 33 But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 34 And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 35 For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”