Daily Readings - Wed Feb 16 2022
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the call to live out our faith in action and to trust in God’s transformative power. In the first reading from James, we are reminded that being a follower of Christ is not merely about hearing the Word of God but putting it into practice. James warns against allowing anger or malice to guide our actions and emphasizes the importance of caring for the vulnerable, such as orphans and widows. He makes it clear that true religion is not about empty rituals but about living a life of love and service.
In the Gospel, Mark shares the story of Jesus healing a blind man in Bethsaida. This miracle is unique because it happens in stages: the man’s sight is restored gradually, first seeing people as walking trees and then fully. This two-step healing process can be seen as a metaphor for our own spiritual journey. Just as the blind man needed to trust Jesus and allow the healing to unfold, we too must trust in God’s timing and process in our lives. The healing also reminds us that faith is not always instantaneous or perfect at first; it often requires patience and perseverance.
Together, these readings encourage us to live out our faith actively and to trust in God’s plan. James calls us to be doers of the Word, not just listeners, and to care for those in need. Mark’s Gospel invites us to trust in God’s power to transform us, even if the process is gradual. In our daily lives, let us strive to put our faith into action by serving others and trusting in God’s grace to guide us. May we allow the Word of God to take root in our hearts and may we be open to the slow, sometimes imperfect, but ultimately transformative work of God in our lives.