Daily Readings - Sat Jan 14 2023
Hebrews
12For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.13And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.14Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.16Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Mark
13He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them.14And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him.15And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.16And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?"17And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful truths about God’s Word and Jesus’ mission of mercy. The first reading from Hebrews reminds us that the Word of God is alive and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, capable of discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. It emphasizes that nothing is hidden from God’s sight and encourages us to approach the throne of grace with confidence, knowing that Jesus, our High Priest, understands our weaknesses and is always ready to show mercy. The Gospel from Mark then presents Jesus calling Levi, a tax collector, and dining with sinners, prompting the Pharisees to question his actions. Jesus responds by declaring that he came not for the righteous but for sinners, likening himself to a doctor who heals the sick.
These readings are deeply connected. In Hebrews, we see the power and penetrating nature of God’s Word, which judges the heart but also offers grace. In Mark, we see this Word made flesh in Jesus, who embodies God’s mercy by reaching out to those on the margins. Both readings highlight Jesus’ compassion and understanding of human frailty. The Pharisees’ criticism reveals a misunderstanding of God’s heart, which is not about condemnation but about healing and restoration. Jesus’ actions show that true righteousness is not about separating oneself from sinners but about bringing them closer to God’s love.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on how we approach God and others. Do we come to God with confidence, knowing he sees our struggles and desires to heal us? Do we, like Jesus, reach out to those who feel unworthy or excluded? The moral lesson here is clear: God’s mercy is not reserved for the perfect but for the imperfect. We are all sinners in need of grace, and we are called to be instruments of that grace in the world. Let us, therefore, approach life with humility, compassion, and a willingness to embrace others as Jesus did, remembering that the greatest sinners are often the ones who need God’s love the most.