Daily Readings - Sat Feb 06 2021
Hebrews
15Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.16Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.17Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.20Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,21equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Mark
30The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught.31And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.32And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.33Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them.34When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the balance between rest and service, as well as the nature of compassionate leadership. The first reading from Hebrews encourages us to offer sacrifices of praise to God through our words and actions, emphasizing the importance of community and obedience to our spiritual leaders. The author prays for God's peace and empowerment to live according to His will. This passage reminds us that our worship is not just individual but communal, and our faith is lived out in good works and fellowship.
The Gospel from Mark presents a complementary message. After the Apostles return from their missionary work, Jesus invites them to rest in a deserted place. Yet, when they arrive, they find a crowd seeking Jesus. Instead of turning them away, Jesus takes pity on them and teaches them. This passage highlights Jesus' compassionate leadership and the importance of balancing rest with service. Just as the Apostles needed rest, we too need moments of renewal, but we are also called to respond to the needs of others with compassion.
These readings remind us that our faith is both about rest and service, trust and action. In our daily lives, we are called to create spaces for rest and renewal, just as Jesus did for his disciples. At the same time, we are to look out for those around us, offering them the same compassion and guidance that Jesus showed to the crowd. Let us strive to live this balance, trusting in God's peace and grace to equip us for whatever He calls us to do. May we, like Jesus, be sources of hope and healing for those around us.