2 Sam 7:18-19, 24-29 / Mark 4:21-25
The Book of Psalms in the Bible is accredited to the authorship of King David, although it is quite obvious that there is more than one author.
We use the Psalms in the worship at Mass and also in the Divine Office of the Church.
In many ways, the Psalms expressed the spirituality of King David.
There are psalms of adoration, worship, praise and thanksgiving.
There are also psalms of petitions, contrition, distress and lamentation.
Psalm 8 expresses best the prayer of King David in today's 1st reading.
Psalms 8 begins with this: What is man that you should keep him in mind, mortal man that you care for him.
David was overwhelmed that God not only made him king of a great nation, God also promised to make his descendants into a royal dynasty, from which as we know now, came the Saviour Jesus.
That was why David said : Who am I, Lord, and what is my house that you have led me this far?
Like King David, let us also ask ourselves: Who am I, that the Lord should care for me even though I am sinful, and He sustains my life and fills me with blessings even though I do not deserve it.
Indeed, we could only say that God is merciful and His mercy endures from age to age.
When we truly understand this mercy and love of God for us, then that mercy and love will kindle the flame within us and, like Jesus said in the gospel, we will shine God's love for all to see.