Daily Readings - Wed Feb 06 2019
Hebrews
4For you have not yet resisted unto blood, while striving against sin5And you have forgotten the consolation which speaks to you like sons, saying: "My son, do not be willing to neglect the discipline of the Lord. Neither should you become weary, while being rebuked by him.6For whomever the Lord loves, he chastises. And every son whom he accepts, he scourges7Persevere in discipline. God presents you to himself as sons. But what son is there, whom his father does not correct11Now every discipline, in the present time, does not seem a gladness, of course, but a grief. But afterwards, it will repay a most peaceful fruit of justice to those who become trained in it12Because of this, lift up your lazy hands and your lax knees13and straighten the path of your feet, so that no one, being lame, may wander astray, but instead may be healed14Pursue peace with everyone. Pursue sanctity, without which no one shall see God15Be contemplative, lest anyone lack the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness spring up and impede you, and by it, many might be defiled
Mark
1And departing from there, he went away to his own country; and his disciples followed him2And when the Sabbath arrived, he began to teach in the synagogue. And many, upon hearing him, were amazed at his doctrine, saying: "Where did this one get all these things?" and, "What is this wisdom, which has been given to him?" and, "Such powerful deeds, which are wrought by his hands!3"Is this not the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joseph, and Jude, and Simon? Are not his sisters also here with us?" And they took great offense at him4And Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and in his own house, and among his own kindred.5And he was not able to perform any miracles there, except that he cured a few of the infirm by laying his hands on them6And he wondered, because of their unbelief, and he traveled around in the villages, teaching
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound lessons that guide us in our faith journey. The first reading from Hebrews reminds us that God's discipline, though challenging, is a manifestation of His love. It encourages us to embrace this discipline, trusting that it leads to peace and justice. The second reading from Mark illustrates Jesus facing rejection in His hometown, highlighting the theme of unbelief and the limitations it imposes on God's work.
The context of Hebrews is a letter to early Christians enduring hardships, urging them to persevere. Mark's passage shows Jesus' experience of rejection, emphasizing that even the Son of God faced skepticism. These readings connect through the theme of facing challenges in faith—whether through discipline or rejection. They remind us that our faith is tested in such moments, calling us to trust in God's plan.
Applying this to daily life, we are encouraged to persevere through trials, viewing them as opportunities for growth. Let us not let familiarity or comfort hinder our faith, as seen in Jesus' hometown. Instead, we should embrace God's discipline and remain open to His grace, avoiding the roots of bitterness. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God's love, even in difficult times, and remain faithful, knowing that true peace and justice will follow.