First Reading: (2 Samuel 24:1–10, 15–17)
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 32:1–2, 5, 6, 7)
Response: Forgive, Lord, the guilt of my sin.
Gospel Acclamation: (Matthew 4:4)
Alleluia, alleluia.
Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: (Mark 6:1–6)
Reflection
The mass readings today is a call to examine a subtle but dangerous spiritual error: mistaking stewardship for ownership.
In the First Reading, King David orders a census of Israel. On the surface, this seems harmless, after all, is he not the king? But Scripture reveals the deeper issue. Israel does not belong to David; Israel belongs to God. David’s role is that of a steward, not a lord. By counting the people as though they were his possession, David crosses a spiritual boundary. His action springs not from obedience, but from pride and self-reliance.
This is why the sin carries social consequences. Pride is never private. When leaders forget that what they govern is entrusted, not owned, entire communities suffer. David recognizes this and pleads with God: “It is I who sinned… but these sheep, what have they done?” True repentance always accepts responsibility.
The Responsorial Psalm echoes this movement of the heart, from guilt to confession, from confession to mercy. God does not desire punishment; He desires truth in the heart and humility before Him.
The Gospel presents the same sin in a quieter form. The people of Nazareth reduce Jesus to what they think they know: the carpenter, the son of Mary, the familiar face. Their pride blinds them. Because they believe they already understand Him, they cannot receive Him. Familiarity becomes an obstacle to faith.
My dear friends in Christ, we fall into the same error whenever we take pride in our achievements, our families, our positions, or even our faith itself, as if these were our own doing. Everything we have, life, talents, relationships, resources, has been entrusted to us by God. When we forget this, pride creeps in, and grace is resisted.
Today’s Word warns us gently but firmly: never confuse what is given with what is owned. We are stewards, not masters. One day, we will be asked to give an account, not of what we possessed, but of how faithfully we served.
May God almighty grant us the grace of humility, the courage of honest repentance, and the wisdom to recognize His work even when it comes through what feels familiar. Through Christ our Lord.
God bless you
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