Daily Readings - Wed May 30 2018
1 Peter
18knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,19but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.20He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for your sake,21who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.22Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,23since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;24for "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls,25but the word of the Lord remains forever."And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
Mark
32And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him,33saying, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles.34And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise."35And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you."36And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?"37And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory."38Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?"39And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized,40but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared."41And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John.42And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.43But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,44and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.45For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of sacrifice, service, and the true meaning of discipleship. In the first reading from 1 Peter, we are reminded that our redemption comes not through earthly wealth or power but through the precious blood of Christ, who was foreknown before the foundation of the world. Peter emphasizes that our faith and hope are rooted in God, and we are called to live out this faith in love and obedience, being born anew through the Word of God, which endures forever. This passage encourages us to focus on what is eternal rather than what is fleeting.
In the Gospel, Mark presents Jesus on the way to Jerusalem, where he predicts his passion and death. Despite the fear and astonishment of his disciples, Jesus teaches them about the true nature of leadership. When James and John ask to sit at his side in glory, Jesus challenges them to consider the cost of following him. He explains that true greatness is not about power or status but about serving others. Jesus himself came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. This teaching is a direct rebuke to the worldly understanding of authority and calls his followers to embrace humility and selflessness.
These readings are deeply connected, as they both point to the heart of the Christian life: sacrifice and service. Peter reminds us that our ultimate hope is in God, and Jesus shows us that this hope is lived out in loving service to others. In a world that often values power and prestige, these readings challenge us to reorient our lives. Let us ask ourselves: Are we willing to embrace the sacrifices that come with following Christ? Are we serving others with humility and love? May we, like Christ, find our true greatness in giving ourselves for the sake of others, and may we always remember that our redemption and hope are found in the enduring Word of God.