Bible reading: January 24th : First reading David's lament over Saul and Jonathan A Reading from the Second book of Samuel 1:1-4,11-12, 17,19, 23-27 In those days: After the death of Saul, when David had returned from striking down the Amalekites, David remained two days in Ziklag. And on the third day, behold, a man came from Saul’s camp, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. And when he came to David, he fell to the ground and paid homage. David said to him, “Where do you come from?” And he said to him, “I have escaped from the camp of Israel.” And David said to him, “How did it go? Tell me.” And he answered, “The people fled from the battle, and also many of the people have fallen and are dead, and Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead.” Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him. And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son and for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. [And David said:] “Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen! “Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely! In life and in death they were not divided; they were swifter than eagles; they were stronger than lions. “You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet, who put ornaments of gold on your apparel. “How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! “Jonathan lies slain on your high places. I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant have you been to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women. “How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war perished!” The Word of the Lord. January 24th : Responsorial Psalm Psalm 80:2-3, 5-7 (R. 4b) Response : Let your face shine on us, Lord, and we shall be saved. O shepherd of Israel, hear us, you who lead Joseph like a flock: enthroned on the cherubim, shine forth upon Ephraim, Benjamin, Manasseh. Rouse up your might and come to save us. R.: Let your face shine on us, Lord, and we shall be saved. How long, O Lord, God of hosts, will you be angry at the prayer of your people? You have fed them with tears for their bread, an abundance of tears for their drink. You have made us the taunt of our neighbours; our foes mock us among themselves. R.: Let your face shine on us, Lord, and we shall be saved. Gospel Acclamation Alleluia V. Alleluia. R. Alleluia. V. Open our hearts, O Lord, that we may pay attention to the words of your Son. R. Alleluia. January 24th : Gospel Jesus' relatives were convinced he was out of his mind A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St.Mark 3: 20-21 At that time: Jesus went home with his disciples, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.” The Gospel of the Lord. ______________ Today's Gospel Reflection: 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 Today’s Gospel is among the shortest passages read at Mass throughout the Liturgical Year, yet it conveys a profound message. The scene opens with Jesus and His disciples—likely the newly appointed Twelve Apostles—taking a moment of rest in a house to eat. Jesus had been tirelessly traveling from village to village, preaching the Kingdom of God and healing many. His reputation had spread far and wide, and people were seeking Him with urgency. As the crowd discovered where He was, they surrounded the house so closely that even basic necessities like eating became impossible. This detail highlights not a lament over the demands on Jesus’ time but the fervent excitement and longing that drew so many to Him. Jesus welcomed this with open arms, as He always does, moved by the profound needs of the human heart. Though the disciples might have felt overwhelmed, Jesus’ heart, as Matthew’s Gospel later records, was “moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). His compassion for the crowd reveals the depth of God’s love and His readiness to meet every human longing. The reaction of Jesus’ relatives offers another important lesson for reflection. Some of His extended family—cousins, aunts, uncles, or others—were alarmed at the crowds He was attracting. They might have been troubled by the growing tension between Jesus and the Pharisees and Herodians, fearing for His safety. Perhaps they struggled to reconcile the stories of miracles and teachings with the humble, quiet Jesus they had known for decades. Since Jesus had not revealed His divine mission during His early life, His sudden manifestation of power likely left them confused and seeking to intervene. This familial tension reveals an important truth: when God acts powerfully in our lives, we too will change, and those close to us may struggle to understand. Though Jesus did not experience conversion as we do, His family witnessed a profound “change” in that He began to publicly manifest His divinity in a way that they had not seen before. As we seek to follow Christ more radically, we might encounter doubt or even resistance from family or friends. Jesus’ example teaches us to face these tensions with courage and love, trusting that fidelity to God’s will is always the highest priority. Like Jesus, we must persevere, offering a gentle but firm witness to the transformative power of God in our lives. As you ponder this Gospel, consider the following: Do you, like the crowd, need to pursue our Lord more fervently, seeking Him with urgency and persistence in prayer? Are you, like the disciples, sometimes overwhelmed by the demands of Christian discipleship? Do you see yourself in Jesus’ extended family, questioning or struggling to understand the radical conversion of someone close to you? Or are you more like our Lord, experiencing the tension of family misunderstanding as you strive to live more fully in conformity with God’s will? Reflect today on this emotional and multifaceted scene. As you identify with the lessons of this short Gospel, renew your resolve to seek Jesus with all your heart, embrace the conversion to which He calls you, and allow His transformative power to shine through your life. Finally, strive to help others understand and support the new life you have chosen, offering a gentle and loving witness to the joy and peace found in Christ. My tireless Lord, the demands placed on You during Your public ministry were great, yet You ministered to all with unfailing compassion. Please grant me the zeal I need to always seek You in my life. As I encounter You and am transformed by Your grace, give me the wisdom and patience to be a faithful witness to others, especially my family. Jesus, I trust in You. #Bible reading