First Reading: 2 Tm 1:1-8 or Ti 1:1-5
Psalm: Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 7-8a, 10
Gospel: Mk 4:21-25
Through the prophet, Nathan, Yahweh has just told David he was not
to build a house for him. That is, a temple in which the Ark of the
Covenant, symbol of God’s presence among the people, would be
placed. He said that he rather would build a house for David. That
is, he would give rule over Israel to David’s descendants forever.
David, overwhelmed by God’s goodness to himself and to his house,
sat before the Ark of the Covenant. He opened his heart to the Lord,
singing his praise and crying out the thanksgiving that filled his
soul.
David’s prayer begins with a simple question, “Who am I Lord God,
and who are the members of my house, that you have brought me to
this point?” A simple question, yes, but one that shows David to be
a humble man who knows that all he has is God’s gift to him. David
recognized that he was a mere mortal, that he in no way deserved the
gift God had just bestowed on him, and in no way merited the promise
God had just made to him.
David’s attitude and prayer is model for our own. To see how great
is God, how insignificant we are! To recognize that our very
existence, that our physical, mental and spiritual health, and the
talents we possess are not of our own making, but are gifts from our
all-generous God!
When we pray a prayer such as the prayer that David prayed in
today’s first reading, the Lord God, the Creator of the universe,
not to be outdone in generosity, embraces us, drawing into a warm,
ever deepening relationship with him.
POINTS TO PONDER
When someone is more generous to us than we expect, do we take the
time to show our gratitude?
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