Monday 27 January

2 Samuel 5:1-7, 10; Psalm 89:20-22, 25-26; Mark 3:22-30

The realm of divisions

In the reading from Samuel we see “all the tribes of Israel” asking David to be their king, a united request, resulting in a strong “nation”. In the gospel, critics come to Jesus from their Jerusalem headquarters. While they don’t deny he casts out devils, they say the devil is in him... a contradictory argument. The devil rejoices in divisions – in families, in countries, religious divisions... There is no strength where discord reigns. During this New Year let us pray constantly for unity at all levels of society.