Daily Readings - Sat Feb 19 2022
James
1My brothers, not many of you should choose to become teachers, knowing that you shall receive a stricter judgment2For we all offend in many ways. If anyone does not offend in word, he is a perfect man. And he is then able, as if with a bridle, to lead the whole body around3For so we put bridles into the mouths of horses, in order to submit them to our will, and so we turn their whole body around4Consider also the ships, which, though they are great and may be driven by strong winds, yet they are turned around with a small rudder, to be directed to wherever the strength of the pilot might will5So also the tongue certainly is a small part, but it moves great things. Consider that a small fire can set ablaze a great forest6And so the tongue is like a fire, comprising all iniquity. The tongue, stationed in the midst of our body, can defile the entire body and inflame the wheel of our nativity, setting a fire from Hell7For the nature of all beasts and birds and serpents and others is ruled over, and has been ruled over, by human nature8But no man is able to rule over the tongue, a restless evil, full of deadly poison9By it we bless God the Father, and by it we speak evil of men, who have been made in the likeness of God10From the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so
Mark
2And after six days, Jesus took with him Peter, and James, and John; and he led them separately to a lofty mountain alone; and he was transfigured before them3And his vestments became radiant and exceedingly white like snow, with such a brilliance as no fuller on earth is able to achieve4And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses; and they were speaking with Jesus5And in response, Peter said to Jesus: "Master, it is good for us to be here. And so let us make three tabernacles, one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.6For he did not know what he was saying. For they were overwhelmed by fear7And there was a cloud overshadowing them. And a voice came from the cloud, saying: "This is my most beloved Son. Listen to him.8And immediately, looking around, they no longer saw anyone, except Jesus alone with them9And as they were descending from the mountain, he instructed them not to relate to anyone what they had seen, until after the Son of man will have risen again from the dead10And they kept the word to themselves, arguing about what "after he will have risen from the dead" might mean11And they questioned him, saying: "Then why do the Pharisees and the scribes say that Elijah must arrive first?12And in response, he said to them: "Elijah, when he will arrive first, shall restore all things. And in the manner that it has been written about the Son of man, so must he suffer many things and be condemned13But I say to you, that Elijah also has arrived, (and they have done to him whatever they wanted) just as it has been written about him.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound lessons that guide us in our spiritual journey. The Gospel of Mark presents the Transfiguration, where Jesus reveals His divine glory to Peter, James, and John. This moment is a pivotal revelation, yet the disciples are instructed to keep this experience secret until after Jesus' resurrection. This teaches us the value of discernment and patience, reminding us that there is a time for speaking and a time for silence, trusting in God's plan.
The reading from James warns us about the power of our words, emphasizing that they can both bless and curse. This serves as a cautionary tale about the impact of our speech, urging us to use our words wisely and with compassion. Just as the disciples were told to wait before sharing their experience, we too must learn when to speak and when to hold back, ensuring our words are used for good.
Together, these readings encourage us to embrace discernment and responsibility in our speech. By reflecting on the Transfiguration and James' wisdom, we are reminded to trust in God's timing and to use our words thoughtfully, fostering a spirit of love and understanding in our daily lives. The moral lesson here is clear: our words have power, and with discernment, we can use them to glorify God and uplift others.