Third Week of Ordinary Time

2 Sam. 12:1-7, 10-17 & Mk. 4:35-41

The prophet Nathan was given a very difficult task from the Lord which demanded a great deal of courage. He was to confront King David with his sins of adultery and murder, and call him to repentance. Prudently, and with a great deal of ingenuity, he prepared David by telling him the parable of the selfish rich man. David fell into the trap.

2 Sam. 11:1-4, 5-10, 13-17 & Mk. 4:26-34.

There is no need to read paperbacks or watch television to see sex and violence - we can find plenty of it in the pages of the Bible!

2 Sam. 7:18-19, 24-29 & Mk. 4:21-25

David's prayer in the first readings is one of gratitude. He had just received, through the prophet Nathan, a solemn promise from God that He would build a dynasty. This meant that David's line would not die out, and that one of his descendants would be the royal Messiah Whom we know to be Jesus Christ.

2 Sam. 7:4-11 & Mk. 4:1-20

David was eager to build God a dwelling because he lived in a fine palace while the Ark of the Covenant, the symbol of God's presence among His people, was in a tent. But God spoke to David through the prophet Nathan telling him that it was his son, Solomon, who would build Him a temple. David's task was to unite his people.

2 Sam. 6:12-15, 17-19 & Mk. 3:31-35

David brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. By doing this he made Jerusalem the centre of worship and helped to bring about national unity under his rule. Contained in the Ark were the two tablets on which the Ten Commandments were written. It was therefore especially sacred, the symbol of God's presence among His people.

2 Sam. 5:1-7, & Mk. 3:22-30

During today's first reading were you struck by the similarities between David and Jesus? When He was a boy I am sure Jesus would have been steeped in the history of His people. He would have known all there was to know about His ancestor King David, perhaps even regarding him as His hero as one writer has claimed.

Mt. 4:12-23

How did Zebedee, the father of James and John, feel when Jesus invited his sons to leave their livelihood and follow Him. Was he disappointed? Had he built up his business for his sons, hoping that one day when he retired they would be ready to take it over? Did he think that his sons were making a big mistake and throwing their lives away?

Heb. 11:1-2, 8-19 & Mk. 4:35-41

Most little children have complete faith and trust in their parents. They turn to them for their every need believing they can do anything, from soothing a pain to mending a toy. They live life with joy and abandon, just knowing that their parents are powerful and loving.

Heb. 10:32-39 & Mk. 4:26-34

Looking back over our lives we can all remember difficult times when life was almost unbearable. Yet, years later it is hard to recall in detail how trying things were. If the results made it all worthwhile, then our memory draws a veil over the unpleasantness, the effort and the struggle. When times are easier, we forget what strength and determination we needed during those difficult days. Doing the will of God, according to the write of the first reading, requires endurance.

Heb. 10:19-25 & Mk. 4:21-25

We have our own soul to save, but in getting to Heaven we have others who help us and we too, please God, will help others to get there. In this way the Church is essentially a community and we have obligations to each other as the first reading explains.