Daily Readings - Sat Feb 04 2023
Hebrews
15Therefore, through him, let us offer the sacrifice of continual praise to God, which is the fruit of lips confessing his name16But do not be willing to forget good works and fellowship. For God is deserving of such sacrifices17Obey your leaders and be subject to them. For they watch over you, as if to render an account of your souls. So then, may they do this with joy, and not with grief. Otherwise, it would not be as helpful to you20Then may the God of peace, who led back from the dead that great Pastor of sheep, our Lord Jesus Christ, with the blood of the eternal testament21equip you with all goodness, so that you may do his will. May he accomplish in you whatever is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom is glory forever and ever. Amen
Mark
30And the Apostles, returning to Jesus, reported to him everything that they had done and taught31And he said to them, "Go out alone, into a deserted place, and rest for a little while." For there were so many who were coming and going, that they did not even have time to eat32And climbing into a boat, they went away to a deserted place alone33And they saw them going away, and many knew about it. And together they ran by foot from all the cities, and they arrived before them34And Jesus, going out, saw a great multitude. And he took pity on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the balance between service and rest, as well as the importance of spiritual leadership and trust in God’s providence. In the first reading from Hebrews, we are reminded to offer continual praise to God through good works and to obey our spiritual leaders who watch over our souls. The passage concludes with a prayer asking God to equip us with goodness so that we may do His will. In the Gospel, Mark describes a moment when Jesus and the Apostles, though exhausted from their ministry, are met with a crowd in need. Instead of turning them away, Jesus takes pity on them and teaches them, showing us the heart of a shepherd who prioritizes the needs of others.
The context of these readings is rooted in the early Christian community’s understanding of faith and service. Hebrews emphasizes the importance of living out faith through actions and trusting in God’s grace to accomplish His will. Mark’s Gospel highlights Jesus’ compassion and dedication to His mission, even in moments of physical and mental fatigue. Together, these readings remind us that our faith is not just about personal devotion but also about serving others and trusting in God’s providence.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to examine how we balance rest and work, and how we respond to the needs of others. Just as Jesus saw the crowd as sheep without a shepherd, we are called to be shepherds to one another, offering guidance, compassion, and support. The moral lesson here is that true greatness in God’s eyes is found in serving others with love and humility, even when it is challenging. Let us strive to live out our faith with generosity and trust, knowing that God will equip us with the grace we need to fulfill His will.