OXYGEN

26 Jan
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2 Samuel 6:12-15.17-19

David went and brought the ark of God up from Obed-edom’s house to the Citadel of David with great rejoicing. When the bearers of the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fat sheep. And David danced whirling round before the Lord with all his might, wearing a linen loincloth round him. Thus David and all the House of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with acclaim and the sound of the horn. They brought the ark of the Lord and put it in position inside the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered holocausts before the Lord, and communion sacrifices. Ans when David had finished offering holocausts and communion sacrifices, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts. He then distributed among all the people, among the whole multitude of Israelites, men and women, a roll of bread to each, a portion of dates, and a raisin cake. Then they all went away, each to his own house.
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Mark 3:31-35

The mother and brothers of Jesus arrived and, standing outside, sent in a message asking for him. A crowd was sitting round him at the time the message was passed to him, ‘Your mother and brothers and sisters are outside asking for you.’ He replied, ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ And looking round at those sitting in a circle about him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of God, that person is my brother and sister and mother.’
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Those sitting in a circle about him

I have been attending quite a number of wedding ceremonies of close friends recently and more to come during the year. I was asking around for the ‘market-price’ of the red packet gift. Someone said to me, do give generously because it is an investment as when it is your marriage, they will provide a nice amount for you too. In short, give generously now for it will benefit you in the future for someone will remember your generosity and may return the favour many times over.

In today’s reading, David, with his people, gave thanks to God by making offerings and sacrifices to the Lord. In return, they were given blessings and David distributed food gifts to the people. In King David’s era, appreciation of the Lord God may result in being returned with gifts that are practical like food or wine. However, this foreshadows the greatest gift that was going to be sent from the Father, which is Jesus.

When we ask God for something through prayer and consistently building our relationship with Him, doing our best to do His will, I believe He rewards us in many ways which is beyond what we have asked for. We must not forget that despite those rewards, He has already given us the greatest gift of Jesus to us, and no reward is greater than to be embraced by His Son.

In today’s gospel passage, Jesus is not being rude to refuse acknowledgement of His birth mother and siblings. He has recognised those that sat around him and sees them as family of the bigger Kingdom of God.

God does not require a lot from us. It begins with faith to believe in Lord Father, and then to love (Him) and others. By keeping this in mind our love stretches beyond that of our family and friends to all those around us. God’s love is not limited to only the Israelites but goes out also to the Gentiles (non-Jews).

Have we been generous to others recently? Have we embraced someone by breaking down the difficulty we have with that someone? Let us pray for the courage and love to do this.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Austin Leong)
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Prayer: Help me, Lord, to be a generous person, so that I may be like Your Son Jesus, who shares Himself with everyone.

Thanksgiving: Thank You, Lord, for the rewards which You have given me. I will continue to give thanks to You Lord because I want to be embraced in Your arms because You call me family.

Upcoming Readings:
Wed, 27 Jan – 2 Samuel 7:4-17; Mark 4:1-20
Thu, 28 Jan – 2 Samnuel 7:18-19. 24-29; Mark 4:21-25
Fri, 29 Jan – 2 Samnuel 11:1-4a. 5-10a. 13-17; Mark 4:26-34
Sat, 30 Jan – 2 Samuel 12:1-7a. 10-17; Mark 4:35-41
Sun, 31 Jan – Jeremiah 1:4-5. 17-19; 1 Corinthians 12:31 – 13:13; Luke 4:21-30