First Reading
2 Samuel 6:12b-15, 17-19
David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom
into the City of David amid festivities.
As soon as the bearers of the ark of the LORD had advanced six steps,
he sacrificed an ox and a fatling.
Then David, girt with a linen apron,
came dancing before the LORD with abandon,
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.
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.
When he finished making these offerings,
he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts.
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.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10
R. (8) Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Lift up, O gates, your lintels;
reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Who is this king of glory?
The LORD, strong and mighty,
the LORD, mighty in battle.
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Lift up, O gates, your lintels;
reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Who is this king of glory?
The LORD of hosts; he is the king of glory.
R. Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
Gospel
Mark 3:31-35
The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived at the house.
Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him.
A crowd seated around him told him,
“Your mother and your brothers and your sisters
are outside asking for you.”
But he said to them in reply,
“Who are my mother and my brothers?”
And looking around at those seated in the circle he said,
“Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of God
is my brother and sister and mother.”
REFLECTION
Source: One Bread, One Body - Reflection for January 28, 2014
Title: DANCING IN THE AISLES
"He sacrificed an ox and a fatling. Then David, girt with a linen apron, came dancing before the Lord with abandon." –2 Samuel 6:13-14
Most of us don't dance that much, especially at church. If we did dance at church, we probably wouldn't do it at the time for the collection. However, David danced after sacrificing an ox and a fatling every six steps of the ark's progress into Jerusalem (2 Sm 6:13). The total of this offering could add up to hundreds of oxen and fatlings, which could cost very many thousands of dollars in today's economy. After David danced, he "offered holocausts and peace offerings" (2 Sm 6:17). "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" (2 Sm 6:19). David's further offerings and his generous provision of supper for a multitude cost him at least several thousand more dollars.
Few of us have David's monetary resources. We can't give the Lord thousands and hundreds of thousands of dollars. However, we can give with David's attitude. We can dance as we empty our pockets, close our savings accounts, sell what we have (Mk 10:21), and give sacrificially to the Church. We must give "not sadly, not grudgingly, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Cor 9:7).
Give and dance; dance and give. Rejoice that God has given you something to give, and that He will mercifully accept your gift.
PRAYER: Father, send the Spirit to give me dancing lessons. May I dance as David danced.
PROMISE: "Whoever does the will of God is brother and sister and mother to Me." –Mk 3:35
PRAISE: St. Thomas' family opposed his vocation and held him captive for two years. Thomas used this time to memorize much of the Bible.
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