Daily Readings - Thu Feb 07 2019
Hebrews
18But you have not drawn near to a tangible mountain, or a burning fire, or a whirlwind, or a mist, or a storm19or the sound of a trumpet, or a voice of words. Those who had experienced these things excused themselves, lest the Word be spoken to them21And what was seen was so terrible that even Moses said: "I am terrified, and so, I tremble.22But you have drawn near to mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, to the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the company of many thousands of Angels23and to the Church of the first-born, those who have been inscribed in the heavens, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the just made perfect24and to Jesus, the Mediator of the New Testament, and to a sprinkling of blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel
Mark
7And he called the twelve. And he began to send them out in twos, and he gave them authority over unclean spirits8And he instructed them not to take anything for the journey, except a staff: no traveling bag, no bread, and no money belt9but to wear sandals, and not to wear two tunics10And he said to them: "Whenever you have entered into a house, stay there until you depart from that place11And whoever will neither receive you, nor listen to you, as you go away from there, shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.12And going out, they were preaching, so that people would repent13And they cast out many demons, and they anointed many of the sick with oil and healed them
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, trust, and our relationship with God. In the first reading from Hebrews, we are reminded of the stark contrast between the terrifying experience of encountering God at Mount Sinai and the hopeful, joyful assembly of the heavenly Jerusalem. The author paints a vivid picture of the fear and awe that came with the presence of God in the Old Testament, but then shifts our gaze to the New Covenant, where we are invited into a spiritual community of saints, angels, and the living God. This passage encourages us to see ourselves as part of a larger, eternal story, one that transcends the fears and uncertainties of this world.
In the Gospel, Mark recounts Jesus sending out the twelve apostles two by two, giving them authority over unclean spirits and instructing them on how to conduct their mission. Jesus tells them to travel simply, without extra provisions, and to rely on the hospitality of others. He also warns them that not everyone will accept their message, but they are to shake off the dust from their feet as a sign of judgment against those who refuse to listen. This passage emphasizes trust in God’s providence and boldness in sharing the message of repentance and healing. It reminds us that following Christ means stepping out in faith, even when the outcome is uncertain.
These readings are connected by the theme of trust and reliance on God. The apostles were sent out with little, but they were given great authority and saw remarkable results because they trusted in Jesus’ words. Similarly, the Hebrews reading calls us to trust in the promise of a heavenly inheritance, one that far surpasses the terrors and uncertainties of this life. For us today, these readings invite us to examine our own trust in God. Are we willing to step out in faith, even when we feel unprepared or uncertain? Do we live with the hope and assurance of being part of a spiritual community that endures beyond this life? Let us ask for the grace to trust in God’s plan and to live boldly as disciples of Christ, sharing His message of love and redemption with a world in need.