Daily Readings - Thu Jan 28 2021
Hebrews
19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,20by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,21and since we have a great priest over the house of God,22let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.24And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,25not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Mark
21And he said to them, "Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand?22For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light.23If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."24And he said to them, "Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you.25For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away."
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the profound truths about our faith and our responsibilities as followers of Christ. The first reading from Hebrews invites us to embrace the access we have to God through Christ's sacrifice, urging us to approach Him with sincerity and to support one another in our journey of faith. The Gospel from Mark challenges us to live openly and responsibly, using the gifts and talents we have been given, and to be mindful of the impact of our actions.
The context of Hebrews is a letter to early Christians, reassuring them of their direct access to God through Christ's sacrifice and emphasizing the importance of community and perseverance. Mark's passage, part of Jesus' teachings, uses the parable of the lamp to highlight the necessity of living openly and the consequences of our choices. Both readings, though from different contexts, share a common theme of openness and responsibility.
These teachings call us to live our faith openly, not hiding our light, and to use our resources wisely. They remind us that our actions have consequences and that we are to support one another in our spiritual journeys. The moral lesson here is to embrace our faith with openness and responsibility, using our gifts to serve others and to build a supportive community. Let us strive to live in such a way that reflects the light of Christ, encouraging and uplifting those around us.