Daily Readings - Wed Sep 15 2021
Hebrews
7In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.8Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.9And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,
Gospel - Luke 2.33-35 or John 19.25-27
Luke
33And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.34And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed35(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."
John
25but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.26When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!"27Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the profound connection between suffering, obedience, and salvation. In the first reading from Hebrews, we encounter Jesus, the Son of God, who, in His humanity, offered prayers and supplications with cries and tears. Though He was divine, He learned obedience through suffering, and this obedience led to His perfection as the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him. This passage reminds us that even the Son of God was not spared the trials of human life, and it is through His perseverance that He became our high priest, understanding and empathizing with our weaknesses.
In the Gospel, Luke presents Simeon’s prophecy at the temple, where he reveals that Jesus will be a sign of contradiction, causing both the ruin and resurrection of many. Simeon also foretells the suffering of Mary, the Mother of God, as a sword would pierce her soul. This passage underscores the transformative power of faith and the inevitable divisions that come with it. Jesus’ mission would challenge the status quo, leading some to fall away and others to rise in faith. Mary’s suffering, in particular, becomes a symbol of the universal experience of those who follow Christ—carrying the cross of faith with courage and trust in God’s plan.
These readings, when taken together, offer a powerful spiritual reflection. They remind us that faith is not without its challenges and contradictions. Like Jesus, we are called to obedience, even in the face of suffering. Like Mary, we are invited to embrace the sword that pierces our souls, trusting that God’s plan is greater than our understanding. In our daily lives, we are often faced with choices that require us to stand firm in our beliefs, even when they lead to division or hardship. Let us draw strength from the example of Jesus and Mary, knowing that our perseverance in faith can lead to transformation and salvation—not just for ourselves, but for others as well. May we learn to embrace the cross with courage and trust, allowing it to shape us into instruments of God’s grace in a world that often resists His truth.