Daily Readings - Thu Feb 17 2022
James
1My brothers, within the glorious faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, do not choose to show favoritism toward persons2For if a man has entered your assembly having a gold ring and splendid apparel, and if a poor man has also entered, in dirty clothing3and if you are then attentive to the one who is clothed in excellent apparel, so that you say to him, "You may sit in this good place," but you say to the poor man, "You stand over there," or, "Sit below my footstool,4are you not judging within yourselves, and have you not become judges with unjust thoughts5My most beloved brothers, listen. Has not God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that God has promised to those who love him6But you have dishonored the poor. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you through power? And are not they the ones who drag you to judgment7Are not they the ones who blaspheme the good name which has been invoked over you8So if you perfect the regal law, according to the Scriptures, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," then you do well9But if you show favoritism to persons, then you commit a sin, having been convicted again by the law as transgressors
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.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, discipleship, and the call to live according to God’s will. In the first reading from James, we are reminded that true faith is not about outward appearances or showing favoritism, but about living out the royal law: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” James challenges us to examine how we treat others, especially the poor and the marginalized, for it is in our actions toward them that we reveal whether our faith is genuine. The second reading from Mark’s Gospel shifts our focus to the identity of Jesus and the cost of following Him. Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ is a moment of great faith, but it is quickly followed by a misunderstanding of what it means for Jesus to be the Messiah. Jesus teaches His disciples that His path is one of suffering, rejection, and ultimately resurrection, and He calls them—and us—to embrace this same path of self-denial and fidelity to God’s plan.
The two readings are connected by the theme of living out one’s faith in a way that aligns with God’s will, rather than our own preferences or worldly standards. James warns against the temptation to judge others based on appearances or social status, while Mark highlights the temptation to follow a version of Christianity that avoids the cross. Both readings call us to humility, self-awareness, and a willingness to let go of our own agendas in order to follow God’s plan. This is not always easy, as Peter’s reaction shows, but it is essential for true discipleship.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to examine how we treat others and how we understand our relationship with God. Do we show favoritism or judge others unfairly? Are we willing to embrace the sacrifices and challenges that come with following Christ? The moral lesson here is clear: our faith must be lived out in love, humility, and a commitment to God’s will, even when it leads us to places we would rather not go. Let us ask for the grace to see others as God sees them and to follow Jesus with courage and fidelity, trusting that His plan, though difficult, leads to true life and resurrection.