Daily Readings - Thu Jan 31 2019
Hebrews
19And so, brothers, have faith in the entrance into the Holy of Holies by the blood of Christ20and in the new and living Way, which he has initiated for us by the veil, that is, by his flesh21and in the Great Priest over the house of God22So, let us draw near with a true heart, in the fullness of faith, having hearts cleansed from an evil conscience, and bodies absolved with clean water23Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope, without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful24And let us be considerate of one another, so as to prompt ourselves to charity and to good works25not deserting our assembly, as some are accustomed to do, but consoling one another, and even more so as you see that the day is approaching
Mark
21And he said to them: "Would someone enter with a lamp in order to place it under a basket or under a bed? Would it not be placed upon a lampstand22For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed. Neither was anything done in secret, except that it may be made public23If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.24And he said to them: "Consider what you hear. With whatever measure you have measured out, it shall be measured back to you, and more shall be added to you25For whoever has, to him it shall be given. And whoever has not, from him even what he has shall be taken away.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the themes of faith, integrity, and the consequences of our actions. The first reading from Hebrews encourages believers to approach God with a true heart, trusting in the sacrifice of Christ, which opens the way to the Holy of Holies. This passage, written to early Christians facing persecution, urges them to remain steadfast in their faith and to support one another in their spiritual journey. The second reading from Mark presents Jesus teaching about the inevitability of revelation and the importance of mindful judgment. Using the parable of the lamp, Jesus emphasizes that our actions and intentions will ultimately be revealed, and we will be measured by the same standard we use for others.
Both readings connect through their emphasis on living authentically and with integrity. Hebrews calls us to trust in God's faithfulness and to approach Him with sincerity, while Mark's Gospel reminds us that our deeds and judgments have consequences. Together, they remind us that our faith should manifest in our actions and that we should be mindful of how we treat others. This connection highlights the importance of living in a way that aligns our inner beliefs with our outward actions.
Applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are encouraged to examine our faith and ensure it is evident in our deeds. We should approach each day with sincerity, trusting in God's presence and guidance. Additionally, we must be cautious in how we judge others, recognizing that the measure we use will be the measure we receive. This calls for compassion and fairness in our interactions. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God's faithfulness and live with integrity and compassion, ensuring that our actions reflect our beliefs and that we treat others with the kindness and fairness we desire for ourselves.