Daily Readings - Sat Feb 19 2022
James
1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.2For we all stumble in many ways, and if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.3If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.4Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.5So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!6And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.7For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,8but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.9With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.10From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
Mark
2And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them,3and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them.4And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.5And Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah."6For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified.7And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is my beloved Son; listen to him."8And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.9And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.10So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean.11And they asked him, "Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?"12And he said to them, "Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt?13But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound lessons that guide us in our spiritual journey. The Gospel of Mark presents the Transfiguration, where Jesus reveals His divine glory to Peter, James, and John. This moment is a pivotal revelation, yet the disciples are instructed to keep this experience secret until after Jesus' resurrection. This teaches us the value of discernment and patience, reminding us that there is a time for speaking and a time for silence, trusting in God's plan.
The reading from James warns us about the power of our words, emphasizing that they can both bless and curse. This serves as a cautionary tale about the impact of our speech, urging us to use our words wisely and with compassion. Just as the disciples were told to wait before sharing their experience, we too must learn when to speak and when to hold back, ensuring our words are used for good.
Together, these readings encourage us to embrace discernment and responsibility in our speech. By reflecting on the Transfiguration and James' wisdom, we are reminded to trust in God's timing and to use our words thoughtfully, fostering a spirit of love and understanding in our daily lives. The moral lesson here is clear: our words have power, and with discernment, we can use them to glorify God and uplift others.