(Optional Memorial for Saint Fabian, Pope and Martyr)
Proper readings for the Memorial of St. Fabian
Biographical information about St. Fabian
Or
(Optional Memorial for Saint Sebastian, Martyr)
Proper readings for the Memorial of St. Sebastian
Biographical information about St. Sebastian
Proper readings for the Memorial of St. Fabian
Biographical information about St. Fabian
Biographical information about St. Sebastian
“Saul and David” by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn,1655-60 |
(on David’s return after slaying the Philistine),
women came out from each of the cities of
singing and dancing, with tambourines, joyful songs, and sistrums.
The women played and sang:
“Saul has slain his thousands,
and David his ten thousands.”
“They give David ten thousands, but only thousands to me.
All that remains for him is the kingship.”
And from that day on, Saul was jealous of David.
with his son Jonathan and with all his servants.
But Saul’s son Jonathan, who was very fond of David, told him:
“My father Saul is trying to kill you.
Therefore, please be on your guard tomorrow morning;
get out of sight and remain in hiding.
I, however, will go out and stand beside my father
in the countryside where you are, and will speak to him about you.
If I learn anything, I will let you know.”
“Let not your majesty sin against his servant David,
for he has committed no offense against you,
but has helped you very much by his deeds.
When he took his life in his hands and slew the Philistine,
and the LORD brought about a great victory
for all
you were glad to see it.
Why, then, should you become guilty of shedding innocent blood
by killing David without cause?”
Saul heeded Jonathan’s plea and swore,
“As the LORD lives, he shall not be killed.”
So Jonathan summoned David and repeated the whole conversation to him.
Jonathan then brought David to Saul, and David served him as before.
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Commentary on 1 Sm 18:6-9; 19:1-7
Following David’s defeat of Goliath, Saul, now deprived of the Lord since he failed to do as God commanded through Samuel, becomes jealous of David because the Lord is clearly with him. (Recall Saul disobeyed the Lord who commanded him to destroy the Amaleks and their king, Agag, taking no spoils, and the Lord removed his favor from him. 1 Samuel 15:1-9) Three times during this section it is stated that David is successful, and three times Saul's response is fear.
Saul’s plot to kill David is thwarted through the intervention of his son Jonathan. Although Saul swears that David will not be killed, the spirit of evil has entered Saul, filling the void the Lord had left when he departed, and this promise is short-lived. This episode is repeated later in 1 Samuel 20:2ff. It is placed here primarily to contrast Saul’s fall from grace and David’s ascension.
CCC: 1 Sm 19:1-14 2583
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 56:2-3, 9-10a, 10b-11, 12-13
all the day they press their attack against me.
My adversaries trample upon me all the day;
yes, many fight against me.
R. In God I trust; I shall not fear.
my tears are stored in your flask;
are they not recorded in your book?
Then do my enemies turn back,
when I call upon you.
R. In God I trust; I shall not fear.
In God, in whose promise I glory,
in God I trust without fear;
what can flesh do against me?
R. In God I trust; I shall not fear.
your thank offerings I will fulfill.
For you have rescued me from death,
my feet, too, from stumbling;
that I may walk before God in the light of the living.
R. In God I trust; I shall not fear.
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Commentary on Ps 56:2-3, 9-10a, 10b-11, 12-13
Psalm 56 is a lament in which the psalmist is being pressed by enemies but has faith that God will support the faithful against all odds. The singer further pledges continuing faithfulness in thanksgiving for the Lord’s help.
Gospel: Mark 3:7-12
A large number of people followed from Galilee and from
Hearing what he was doing,
a large number of people came to him also from
from Idumea, from beyond the
and from the neighborhood of
He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd,
so that they would not crush him.
were pressing upon him to touch him.
And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him
and shout, “You are the Son of God.”
He warned them sternly not to make him known.
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Commentary on Mk 3:7-12
This selection from St. Mark’s Gospel marks a transition from Jesus ministering to the people on his own and his teachings to the disciples. Here, the Gospel provides a summary of the activities of Jesus whose healing ministry has caused a great crowd to follow him. His rising popularity is a testament to the power of what he teaches, and the signs he performs are a prelude to the universal spread of the Gospel message.
The encounter with unclean spirits is met, as earlier, with attempts to ward off his power over them using his title: “You are the Son of God.” It is interesting that the recognition of his true nature comes from those sent by the evil one. “Their prostration before him is not a sign of genuine worship but an obeisance compelled by Jesus’ irresistible authority (as in Mark 5:6). Nor is their clamorous shout a confession of faith, but a futile attempt to render him harmless, in accord with the common view that one could acquire mastery over another by using the individual’s name (see Mark 1:24; Mark 5:7).” [4]
CCC: Mk 3:10 1504
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Reflection:
[1] The picture is “Saul and David” by Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn,1655-60.
[2] S.S. Commemoratio
[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible with the exception of the Psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This re-publication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
[4] The Gospel of Mark, Mary Healy © 2008, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids MI, p. 71.
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