Daily Readings - Tue Jan 29 2019
Hebrews
1For the law contains the shadow of future good things, not the very image of these things. So, by the very same sacrifices which they offer ceaselessly each year, they can never cause these to approach perfection2Otherwise, they would have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, once cleansed, would no longer be conscious of any sin3Instead, in these things, a commemoration of sins is made every year4For it is impossible for sins to be taken away by the blood of oxen and goats5For this reason, as Christ enters into the world, he says: "Sacrifice and oblation, you did not want. But you have fashioned a body for me6Holocausts for sin were not pleasing to you7Then I said, ‘Behold, I draw near.’ At the head of the book, it has been written of me that I should do your will, O God.8In the above, by saying, "Sacrifices, and oblations, and holocausts for sin, you did not want, nor are those things pleasing to you, which are offered according to the law9then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,’ " he takes away the first, so that he may establish what follows10For by this will, we have been sanctified, through the one time oblation of the body of Jesus Christ
Mark
31And his mother and brothers arrived. And standing outside, they sent to him, calling him32And the crowd was sitting around him. And they said to him, "Behold, your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.33And responding to them, he said, "Who is my mother and my brothers?34And looking around at those who were sitting all around him, he said: "Behold, my mother and my brothers35For whoever has done the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister and mother.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of sacrifice, obedience, and the true meaning of family in God’s plan. In the first reading from Hebrews, we hear about the limitations of the old covenant sacrifices. These sacrifices, repeated year after year, could never fully take away sins; they only served as a reminder of sin. But Christ, by offering his own body once for all, has perfected those who are sanctified through his will. This passage emphasizes that true worship is not about outward rituals but about surrendering to God’s will and living in accordance with it.
In the Gospel, Mark presents a moment where Jesus redefines family. When his mother and brothers come to find him, Jesus looks at the crowd around him and says, “Here are my mother and my brothers. Whoever does the will of God is my brother, sister, and mother.” This is not a rejection of his family but an expansion of the concept of family. Jesus is teaching that our spiritual bonds, formed through fidelity to God’s will, are just as real and meaningful as biological ties. True kinship in God’s kingdom is not limited to blood relations but extends to all who seek to do God’s will.
Together, these readings remind us that our relationship with God is rooted in sacrifice and obedience. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, once for all, has made us holy, but we must continue to live out this holiness by doing God’s will. In our daily lives, this means prioritizing prayer, service, and love. It also means recognizing that our true family extends beyond our immediate circle to include all those who seek to follow God. Let us ask ourselves: Am I living in accordance with God’s will? Am I building bonds of love and unity with my spiritual family? May we find strength in Christ’s sacrifice and strive to live as true children of God, united in faith and purpose.