Daily Readings - Tue Feb 13 2024
James
12Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.13Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.14But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.15Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.16Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.18Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Mark
14Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat.15And he cautioned them, saying, "Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod."16And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread.17And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened?18Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember?19When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" They said to him, "Twelve."20"And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" And they said to him, "Seven."21And he said to them, "Do you not yet understand?"
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of temptation, discernment, and the generosity of God. In the first reading from James, we are reminded that temptation does not come from God but from our own desires, which can lead us astray. James encourages us to recognize that every good gift comes from God, who is unchanging and true. This passage calls us to be mindful of the sources of our desires and to seek God’s wisdom in navigating life’s challenges.
In the Gospel, Mark presents a scene where Jesus warns his disciples against the "leaven of the Pharisees and Herod," which symbolizes hypocrisy and worldly influence. The disciples, preoccupied with their lack of bread, fail to grasp the deeper spiritual lesson. Jesus reminds them of the miracles of the loaves, pointing out their spiritual blindness. This passage challenges us to look beyond the superficial concerns of daily life and to trust in God’s providence and wisdom.
Together, these readings remind us to be vigilant about the influences in our lives and to seek God’s truth. Like the disciples, we often miss the deeper meaning of God’s presence in our lives, focusing instead on immediate concerns. Let us ask for the grace to discern the sources of our desires and to trust in God’s generosity. May we, like James encourages, be doers of the Word, living with integrity and faith in the midst of life’s temptations.