Daily Readings - Sun Sep 12 2021
Isaiah
5The Lord God has opened my ear. And I do not contradict him. I have not turned back6I have given my body to those who strike me, and my cheeks to those who plucked them. I have not averted my face from those who rebuked me and who spit on me7The Lord God is my helper. Therefore, I have not been confounded. Therefore, I have set my face like a very hard rock, and I know that I will not be confounded8He who justifies me is near. Who will speak against me? Let us stand together. Who is my adversary? Let him approach me9Behold, the Lord God is my helper. Who is the one who would condemn me? Behold, they will all be worn away like a garment; the moth will devour them
James
14My brothers, what benefit is there if someone claims to have faith, but he does not have works? How would faith be able to save him15So if a brother or sister is naked and daily in need of food16and if anyone of you were to say to them: "Go in peace, keep warm and nourished," and yet not give them the things that are necessary for the body, of what benefit is this17Thus even faith, if it does not have works, is dead, in and of itself18Now someone may say: "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without works! But I will show you my faith by means of works
Mark
27And Jesus departed with his disciples into the towns of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way, he questioned his disciples, saying to them, "Who do men say that I am?28And they answered him by saying: "John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others perhaps one of the prophets.29Then he said to them, "Yet truly, who do you say that I am?" Peter responded by saying to him, "You are the Christ.30And he admonished them, not to tell anyone about him31And he began to teach them that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, and by the high priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again32And he spoke the word openly. And Peter, taking him aside, began to correct him33And turning away and looking at his disciples, he admonished Peter, saying, "Get behind me, Satan, for you do not prefer the things that are of God, but the things that are of men.34And calling together the crowd with his disciples, he said to them, "If anyone chooses to follow me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me35For whoever will have chosen to save his life, will lose it. But whoever will have lost his life, for my sake and for the Gospel, shall save it
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, trust, and discipleship. In the first reading from Isaiah, the prophet speaks of his unwavering trust in God despite suffering and rejection. He describes how he has offered his body to those who strike him and his face to those who spit on him, yet he remains unashamed because he knows the Lord is his helper. This passage is set in the context of Israel’s exile and restoration, where Isaiah’s fidelity to God’s will serves as a model for the people’s return to faithfulness. His trust in God is not passive but active, enduring hardship without turning back.
In the second reading from James, we are reminded that faith without works is dead. James challenges us to move beyond mere professions of faith and to demonstrate our commitment through concrete actions. He uses the example of someone who wishes another well but fails to provide for their needs, emphasizing that true faith must be lived out in service to others. This teaching is part of James’ broader call to live out the gospel in practical ways, showing that our relationship with God is not just about belief but about how we love and care for one another.
In the Gospel, Mark presents a pivotal moment in Jesus’ ministry. After Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ, Jesus begins to teach his disciples about the necessity of his suffering, death, and resurrection. Peter’s resistance to this plan reveals a misunderstanding of what it means to follow Jesus. In response, Jesus calls his disciples to embrace self-denial and take up their cross, emphasizing that true discipleship requires surrender and trust in God’s plan. This passage is a call to move beyond our own comfort and desires, trusting that God’s way, though difficult, leads to life.
These readings are deeply connected. Isaiah’s trust in the face of suffering, James’ call to active faith, and Jesus’ teaching on self-denial all point to the same truth: living out our faith requires us to surrender our own will and trust in God’s plan, even when it is challenging. In our daily lives, this means being willing to embrace difficulties with faith, putting our faith into action through service, and trusting that God’s way leads to true life. May we, like Isaiah, set our faces like flint, trusting in God’s help, and may we, like Jesus, embrace the cross with courage and faith.