The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today celebrate living with compassion and mercy and no fear of others who may be jealous of a loving disposition that attracts friends.
The Reading from the First Book of Samuel presents Saul’s Jealousy and his Persecution of David.
* [18:6] Stringed instruments: perhaps a lute-like instrument with three strings; the Hebrew word, shalshim, perhaps related to the root shlsh (“three”), occurs only here in the Old Testament. (1 Samuel, CHAPTER 18 | USCCB, n.d.)
* [19:4] Jonathan reminds Saul that David has served him loyally and done nothing to earn a traitor’s death. Cf. 24:18–20. (1 Samuel, CHAPTER 19 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 56 proclaims a firm confidence in God and gives thanks for God’s gift of life.
* [Psalm 56] Beset physically (Ps 56:2–3) and psychologically (Ps 56:6–7), the psalmist maintains a firm confidence in God (Ps 56:5, 9–10). Nothing will prevent the psalmist from keeping the vow to give thanks for God’s gift of life (Ps 56:13). A refrain (Ps 56:5, 11–12) divides the Psalm in two equal parts. (Psalms, PSALM 56 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Mark proclaims the Mercy of Jesus that draws people to him.
* [3:7–19] This overview of the Galilean ministry manifests the power of Jesus to draw people to himself through his teaching and deeds of power. The crowds of Jews from many regions surround Jesus (Mk 3:7–12). This phenomenon prepares the way for creating a new people of Israel. The choice and mission of the Twelve is the prelude (Mk 3:13–19).
* [3:11–12] See note on Mk 1:24–25. (Mark, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)
Sara Schulte-Bukowinski comments that in Jesus, God demonstrates willingness to sacrifice reputation, and ultimately even life itself, to show the greatest mercy possible.
How do I live into mercy? Where do I cling to power, jealousy, or resentment? How do I, as a Christian, raise up the kind of leadership to which Jesus calls all of us? How do I provide a fair and honest critique of leadership that is incompatible with God’s vision? I have to pray and work with God to be freer of the things that can put a cap on mercy, first in my own heart. If I’m too worried about just protecting “me and my own,” if I’m too concerned about what other people will think, if I permit unjust rules (or even laws) to undermine my conscience, I will not be free enough for mercy. (Schulte-Bukowinski, n.d.)
Don Schwager “Faith works by love”, by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"The 'faith that works by love' (Galatians 5:6), is not the same faith that demons have. 'For the devils also believe and tremble' (James 2:19) but do they love? If they had not believed, they would not have said: 'You are the holy one of God' or 'You are the Son of God' (Mark 3:11-12; Luke 4:34,41). But if they had loved, they would not have said: 'What have we to do with you?' (Matthew 8:29; Mark 5:7; Luke 8:28)" (excerpt from Letter 194, To Sixtus) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 3:7-12 declares we can help establish a culture that welcomes all human life in our homes and among our friends.
Everything you do matters! Every time you imitate Jesus by offering yourself for others, you become an instrument of his healing power. You welcome him into new situations every time you put your faith into action. So prepare a meal for someone who is bedridden, visit someone who is lonely, teach a child to read, or offer to pray with a parishioner. And expect beautiful things to happen because you are working side by side with the Lord!
“Blessed László, pray that I can become a vessel of Christ’s healing love!” (Meditation on Mark 3:7-12, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that in the reading from 1 Samuel, Saul and David return from battle praising David who is accorded a greater victory than Saul, who senses he is being robbed of glory. Jonathan talks Saul, temporary, out of killing David. All the people flock to Jesus for healing and also including Gentiles. The unclean spirit proclaims “Son of God”. They declare the truth of Jesus' identity. That's why He warns the spirit not to make Him known so people will receive the Kingdom where they hear and observe God’s Law to the best possible degree.
Father Richard Rohr, OFM, recalls that after receiving a threatening late-night phone call, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s was renewed through prayer and an experience of God’s presence and call.
It seemed that all of my fears had come down on me at once. I had reached the saturation point…. I was ready to give up…. I tried to think of a way to move out of the picture without appearing a coward…. And I got to the point that I couldn’t take it any longer…. With my head in my hands, I bowed over the kitchen table and prayed aloud. The words I spoke to God that midnight are still vivid in my memory: “Lord, I’m down here trying to do what’s right. I think I’m right. I am here taking a stand for what I believe is right. But Lord, I must confess that I’m weak now, I’m faltering. I’m losing my courage. Now, I am afraid. And I can’t let the people see me like this because if they see me weak and losing my courage, they will begin to get weak. The people are looking to me for leadership, and if I stand before them without strength and courage, they too will falter. I am at the end of my powers. I have nothing left. I’ve come to the point where I can’t face it alone.”
It seemed as though I could hear the quiet assurance of an inner voice saying: “Martin Luther, stand up for righteousness. Stand up for justice. Stand up for truth. And lo, I will be with you. Even until the end of the world.” (Rohr, n.d.)
We confirm that the greatest gift is love as we attend to the Presence of the Spirit that calls us to be friend, leader, and healer in our family and beyond.
References
Mark, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 22, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/3?7
Meditation on Mark 3:7-12. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved January 22, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/01/22/1484856/
1 Samuel, CHAPTER 18 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 22, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1samuel/18?6
1 Samuel, CHAPTER 19 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 22, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1samuel/19?4
Psalms, PSALM 56 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 22, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/56?2
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 22, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/stand-and-i-will-be-with-you/
Schulte-Bukowinski, S. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved January 22, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-january-22-2026
Schwager, D. (n.d.). All Pressed upon Jesus to Touch Him. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 22, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
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