Daily Readings - Sat Feb 04 2023
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the balance between service and rest, as well as the importance of spiritual leadership and trust in God’s providence. In the first reading from Hebrews, we are reminded to offer continual praise to God through good works and to obey our spiritual leaders who watch over our souls. The passage concludes with a prayer asking God to equip us with goodness so that we may do His will. In the Gospel, Mark describes a moment when Jesus and the Apostles, though exhausted from their ministry, are met with a crowd in need. Instead of turning them away, Jesus takes pity on them and teaches them, showing us the heart of a shepherd who prioritizes the needs of others.
The context of these readings is rooted in the early Christian community’s understanding of faith and service. Hebrews emphasizes the importance of living out faith through actions and trusting in God’s grace to accomplish His will. Mark’s Gospel highlights Jesus’ compassion and dedication to His mission, even in moments of physical and mental fatigue. Together, these readings remind us that our faith is not just about personal devotion but also about serving others and trusting in God’s providence.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to examine how we balance rest and work, and how we respond to the needs of others. Just as Jesus saw the crowd as sheep without a shepherd, we are called to be shepherds to one another, offering guidance, compassion, and support. The moral lesson here is that true greatness in God’s eyes is found in serving others with love and humility, even when it is challenging. Let us strive to live out our faith with generosity and trust, knowing that God will equip us with the grace we need to fulfill His will.