David Sandel

Monday, January 19, 2026 (click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures) New wine Although you were once small in your own eyes, are you not now the leader of the tribes of Israel? Saul might have been a tall, strong man, but he had trouble seeing him Samuel’s Reproach to Saul circa...

Saturday, January 17, 2026 Memorial of Saint Anthony, Abbot (click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures) Oil flows Jesus saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed Jesus. Italian painter Caravaggio painted this scene, and four hundred years...

Friday, January 16, 2026 (click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures) Take up your mat First Eli and now Samuel … the last two judges of Israel. Like Eli, Samuel anointed his sons Joel and Abijah as judges, but they took bribes and were rejected by the people. Instead, the people wanted...

Thursday, January 15, 2026 (click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures) I will not I will not I will not fight alone The Philistines gathered for an attack on Israel. This poem struck me in the chest yesterday, like an emergency room shock paddle, or maybe a friend’s friendly solid smack on...

Wednesday, January 14, 2026 (click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures) Hearing God The Lord called to Samuel, who answered. “Here I am,” Samuel said. Asleep, suddenly he awakened. What was that? Was it part of my dream? I lie in bed and fall asleep listening to A Study in Scarlet read...

Tuesday, January 13, 2026 Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time (click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures) Sobering up The priest, Eli, watched Hannah’s mouth. She was praying silently; though her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard. Eli, thinking her drunk, said to her, “Sober up from...

Monday, January 12, 2026 First day of the first week in Ordinary Time (click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures) Winners How shall I make a return to the LORD             for all the good he has done for me? The cup of salvation I will take up,             and I will...