Daily Readings - Fri Jan 18 2019
Hebrews
1Therefore, we should be afraid, lest the promise of entering into his rest may be relinquished, and some of you may be judged to be lacking2For this was announced to us in a similar manner as to them. But the mere hearing of the word did not benefit them, since it was not joined together with a faith in those things that they heard3For we who have believed shall enter into rest, in the same manner as he said: "So it is as I have sworn in my wrath: They shall not enter into my rest!" And certainly, this is when the works from the foundation of the world have been finished4For, in a certain place, he spoke about the seventh day in this manner: "And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.5And in this place again: "They shall not enter into my rest!11Therefore, let us hasten to enter into that rest, so that no one may fall into the same example of unbelief
Mark
1And after some days, he again entered into Capernaum2And it was heard that he was in the house. And so many gathered that there was no room left, not even at the door. And he spoke the word to them3And they came to him, bringing a paralytic, who was being carried by four men4And when they were not able to present him to him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where he was. And opening it, they lowered down the stretcher on which the paralytic was lying5Then, when Jesus had seen their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you.6But some of the scribes were sitting in that place and thinking in their hearts7"Why is this man speaking in this way? He is blaspheming. Who can forgive sins, but God alone?8At once, Jesus, realizing in his spirit that they were thinking this within themselves, said to them: "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts9Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up, take up your stretcher, and walk?10But so that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins," he said to the paralytic11"I say to you: Rise up, take up your stretcher, and go into your house.12And immediately he got up, and lifting up his stretcher, he went away in the sight of them all, so that they all wondered. And they honored God, by saying, "We have never seen anything like this.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound reflections on faith and God's grace. The first reading from Hebrews invites us to consider the rest that God promises, a rest that is not merely physical but deeply spiritual. It warns us against the dangers of unbelief, which can prevent us from fully embracing this divine gift. The context of this passage is a reminder to early Christians, and by extension to us, that faith is essential to entering into God's rest. The author emphasizes that hearing the word is not enough; it must be accompanied by faith to be transformative.
The Gospel from Mark vividly illustrates this theme through the story of the paralytic man. Jesus' authority to forgive sins and heal is on full display, challenging the skepticism of the scribes. The context here is one of tension between traditional religious authority and the radical message of Jesus. The connection between the two readings lies in their emphasis on faith as the bridge between God's grace and human experience. In Mark, the faith of the friends who carry the paralytic leads to his healing, much like the faith required to enter God's rest in Hebrews.
Applying these readings to our daily lives, we are reminded of the importance of trusting in God's plan and His power to transform us. Just as the paralytic man needed others to carry him to Jesus, we may need the support of others in our journey of faith. The moral lesson here is clear: faith is not passive but active, requiring us to step out in trust, even when the path is uncertain. Let us, therefore, approach life with the faith that opens us to God's rest and healing, recognizing His presence in every moment.