FIRST READING
“David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting. ”
A reading from the second Book of Samuel (2 Samuel 6: 12b-15. 17-19)
In those days: David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom to the city of David with rejoicing; and when those who bore the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed an 0x and a fatling. And David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was belted with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the horn. And they brought in the ark of the Lord, and set it in its place, inside the tent which David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord. And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts, and distributed among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, to each a cake of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins. Then all the people departed, each to his house.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 24:7.8.9.10 (R. see 8ab)
R/. Who is the king of glory? It is the Lord!
O gates, lift high your heads;
grow higher, ancient doors.
Let him enter, the king of glory! R.
“Who is this king of glory?
The Lord, the mighty, the valiant;
the Lord, the valiant in war.” R.
O gates, lift high your heads;
grow higher, ancient doors.
Let him enter, the king of glory! R.
“Who is this king of glory?
He, the Loco of hosts,
he is the king of glory.” R.
ALLELUIA Matthew 11 :25
Alleluia. Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother. ”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 3:31-35)
At that time: The mother of Jesus and his brethren came; and standing outside they sent to him and called him. And a crowd was sitting about him; and they said to him, “Your mother and your brethren are outside, asking for you.” And he replied, “Who are my mother and my brethren?” And looking around on those who sat about him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brethren! Who- ever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
David must never forget the source of his success, lest he ends up like Saul. He remembered that God journeyed with him through his travails and being outside God’s presence was unsafe. So he brings home the Ark of the Covenant, the visible sign of God’s presence amongst his people, with great rejoicing and worship, accompanied by acts of charity to his subjects. Yet, he must remember that God dwells in his people rather than just being in a box, and that each, including the king, must strive to be a fitting dwelling for God. We too are temples of the Holy Spirit, brothers and sisters of Christ, made so by the spirit of adoption through Baptism. As such, we must hearken to God’s word and practice it. Lord, your will be done! Amen