Daily Readings - Mon Apr 25 2022
1 Peter
5Similarly, young persons, be subject to the elders. And infuse all humility among one another, for God resists the arrogant, but to the humble he gives grace6And so, be humbled under the powerful hand of God, so that he may exalt you in the time of visitation7Cast all your cares upon him, for he takes care of you8Be sober and vigilant. For your adversary, the devil, is like a roaring lion, traveling around and seeking those whom he might devour9Resist him by being strong in faith, being aware that the same passions afflict those who are your brothers in the world10But the God of all grace, who has called us to his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will himself perfect, confirm, and establish us, after a brief time of suffering11To him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen12I have written briefly, through Sylvanus, whom I consider to be a faithful brother to you, begging and testifying that this is the true grace of God, in which you have been established13The Church which is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you, as does my son, Mark14Greet one another with a holy kiss. Grace be to all of you who are in Christ Jesus. Amen
Mark
15And he said to them: "Go forth to the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature16Whoever will have believed and been baptized will be saved. Yet truly, whoever will not have believed will be condemned17Now these signs will accompany those who believe. In my name, they shall cast out demons. They will speak in new languages18They will take up serpents, and, if they drink anything deadly, it will not harm them. They shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they will be well.19And indeed, the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and he sits at the right hand of God20Then they, setting out, preached everywhere, with the Lord cooperating and confirming the word by the accompanying signs
Sermon
In today’s readings, we find ourselves immersed in themes of trust, humility, and the call to share the Gospel. The first reading from 1 Peter encourages believers to embrace humility and cast their anxieties upon God, trusting in His providence amidst life’s challenges. The second reading from Mark recounts Jesus’ Great Commission, urging His disciples to spread the Gospel to all creation, with the promise of divine signs accompanying their mission.
The context of these passages sheds light on their significance. Peter’s letter was addressed to early Christians facing persecution, offering them comfort and strength through humility and faith. Mark’s account captures the culmination of Jesus’ ministry, as He ascends and commissions His followers to continue His work. Together, these readings remind us that our trust in God is not just a personal virtue but also empowers us to fulfill our mission in the world.
In applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are called to approach each day with humility and trust, knowing that God’s grace sustains us. Whether in our workplaces, homes, or communities, we are commissioned to share the Good News through our actions and words. The moral lesson here is clear: trust in God’s plan and boldly embrace our role in spreading His message, just as the early disciples did. By doing so, we not only find personal peace but also contribute to the greater mission of bringing light and hope to the world.