ST. FRANCIS DE SALES, BISHOP & DOCTOR, ON SATURDAY OF WEEK 2 IN ORDINARY TIME - 2026

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

Open our heart, O Lord,
to accept the words of your Son. ACTS 16:14

2 SAMUEL 1:1-4, 11-12, 17, 19, 23-27

My Soul's Beloved, 

The love that David bore for both Saul and Jonathan is so remarkable. Over and over again, we see how generous, magnanimous, and loyal David was to Saul, who hounded him and sought to kill him out of sheer jealousy. And the great love and friendship he and Jonathan shared was so holy, pure, and true that it can only be a mirror of divine love. It is not surprising then that he was heartbroken when he heard the news of the death of the king, as well as his friend, on the battlefield. 

Lord Jesus, David, the man and the king, foreshadows the true King of Israel who loves all, both sinner and saint equally. You grieve when we separate ourselves from You, and You rejoice when we are faithful and loving. David is known as the greatest king Israel ever knew, for under his reign, Israel was united and enjoyed peace and prosperity, briefly. But You, O Lord, are the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, and the Prince of Peace. Yours is a peace that the world cannot give. It is a peace that keeps our souls in serenity despite the storms and the battles of good versus evil raging around us.

Lord God, our Savior and Redeemer, no matter who is for us or against us, let us keep our gaze fixed on You and live each moment of each day in peace as we seek to discern Your will in all things and do it. We have this confidence, O Lord, that You will provide all we need for the battle, for the battle and the victory are Yours,  O Lord.

David returned from his rout of the Amalekites and spent two days in Ziklag. On the third day a man came from the camp where Saul had been, his garments torn and earth on his head. When he came to David, he fell to the ground and did homage. ‘Where do you come from?’ David asked him. ‘I have escaped from the Israelite camp’ he said. David said to him, ‘What happened? Tell me.’ He replied, ‘The people have fled from the battlefield and many of them have fallen. Saul and his son Jonathan are dead too.’

Then David took hold of his garments and tore them, and all the men with him did the same. They mourned and wept and fasted until the evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, for the people of the Lord and for the House of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
Then David made this lament over Saul and his son Jonathan.
Alas, the glory of Israel has been slain on your heights!
How did the heroes fall?
Saul and Jonathan, loved and lovely,
neither in life, nor in death, were divided.
Swifter than eagles were they,
stronger were they than lions.
O daughters of Israel, weep for Saul
who clothed you in scarlet and fine linen,
who set brooches of gold
on your garments.
How did the heroes fall
in the thick of the battle?
O Jonathan, in your death I am stricken,
I am desolate for you, Jonathan my brother.
Very dear to me you were,
your love to me more wonderful
than the love of a woman.
How did the heroes fall
and the battle armour fail?

PSALM 79(80):2-3,5-7

Let your face shine on us, O Lord, and we shall be saved.

O shepherd of Israel, hear us,
you who lead Joseph’s flock,
shine forth from your cherubim throne
upon Ephraim, Benjamin, Manasseh.
O Lord, rouse up your might,
O Lord, come to our help.

Lord God of hosts, how long
will you frown on your people’s plea?
You have fed them with tears for their bread,
an abundance of tears for their drink.
You have made us the taunt of our neighbours,
our enemies laugh us to scorn.

Let your face shine on us, O Lord, and we shall be saved.

MARK 3:20-21

My Soul's Beloved, 

Will I ever experience the same all-consuming fire in my spirit to preach the Good News in every season with passion, vigor, and fervor, fearlessly, no matter what anyone thinks or says about me, or the consequences, whether good or bad, for doing so? Will I ever possess a martyr's zeal? Sadly, I think not. To be thought mad and declared mad for the sake of the Gospel, and glorify God in the persecution? I doubt not.  I love myself too much. I love my creature comforts too much to be willing to put myself out there in the public square, fearful of being victimized and declared persona non grata.

Not so You, Beloved, and not so those who followed closely in Your footsteps, beginning with the Apostles, the early martyrs, which continues to this day. No religion is as hated as Christianity by so many. Why? Because to follow You, Lord, means that we have to embrace the Cross and suffering, and pick it up daily, gladly, and follow You. Authentic discipleship demands that we forget soul and empty ourselves to give all we have in self-donation, just as You did.

When You went to Your hometown, the crowds, having heard of all You had done elsewhere, clamored around You to listen to You and experience all that they heard others say they had. You knew that Your time was brief. Your hour was arriving, and this is why every minute was precious to You. Lord Jesus, help us realize that time waits for no man, and in the brief moment we all have, let us not waste any of it, but rather be salt and light in the world so that in the end You will say to us, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world."

Jesus went home, and once more such a crowd collected that they could not even have a meal. When his relatives heard of this, they set out to take charge of him, convinced he was out of his mind.