Daily Readings - Wed Feb 19 2020
James
19You know this, my most beloved brothers. So let every man be quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to anger20For the anger of man does not accomplish the justice of God21Because of this, having cast away all uncleanness and an abundance of malice, receive with meekness the newly-grafted Word, which is able to save your souls22So be doers of the Word, and not listeners only, deceiving yourselves23For if anyone is a listener of the Word, but not also a doer, he is comparable to a man gazing into a mirror upon the face that he was born with24and after considering himself, he went away and promptly forgot what he had seen25But he who gazes upon the perfect law of liberty, and who remains in it, is not a forgetful hearer, but instead a doer of the work. He shall be blessed in what he does26But if anyone considers himself to be religious, but he does not restrain his tongue, but instead seduces his own heart: such a one’s religion is vanity27This is religion, clean and undefiled before God the Father: to visit orphans and widows in their tribulations, and to keep yourself immaculate, apart from this age
Mark
22And they went to Bethsaida. And they brought a blind man to him. And they petitioned him, so that he would touch him23And taking the blind man by the hand, he led him beyond the village. And putting spit on his eyes, laying his hands on him, he asked him if he could see anything24And looking up, he said, "I see men but they are like walking trees.25Next he placed his hands again over his eyes, and he began to see. And he was restored, so that he could see everything clearly26And he sent him to his house, saying, "Go into your own house, and if you enter into the town, tell no one.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful lessons about faith, action, and compassion. The first reading from James reminds us to be quick to listen and slow to speak, emphasizing the importance of living out our faith through our actions. James warns against being mere listeners of the Word, urging us instead to be doers, caring for the vulnerable and keeping ourselves pure in a world filled with distractions. The Gospel from Mark recounts the healing of a blind man in Bethsaida, where Jesus restores the man’s sight in stages, teaching us about the gradual nature of healing and the importance of trust in God’s process.
Both readings highlight the connection between faith and action. James challenges us to move beyond mere words and instead live out our faith through works of mercy and integrity. Similarly, Mark’s account of the blind man’s healing shows us that true faith requires trust and patience, as spiritual healing often unfolds gradually. Just as the blind man needed to trust Jesus through the process of healing, we too must trust in God’s plan for our lives, even when the results are not immediate or clear.
As we reflect on these readings, let us consider how we can put our faith into action in our daily lives. Are we quick to listen and slow to speak, or do we allow anger and impatience to guide us? Do we care for the vulnerable and keep ourselves pure in a world that often pulls us away from God? Let us ask for the grace to trust in God’s timing and to live out our faith with humility and compassion, just as Jesus showed us in his healing of the blind man. May we be doers of the Word, not just hearers, and may our lives reflect the love and mercy of God.