Daily Readings - Tue Jan 21 2025
Hebrews
10For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do.11And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end,12so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.13For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself,14saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you."15And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise.16For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation.17So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath,18so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.19We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,20where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Mark
23One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain.24And the Pharisees were saying to him, "Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?"25And he said to them, "Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him:26how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?"27And he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.28So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound lessons about faith, trust, and the spirit of the law. The first reading from Hebrews emphasizes God's unwavering faithfulness and the importance of perseverance. It reminds us that our efforts in serving others and living in faith are not in vain, as God promises to reward those who trust Him. The passage also highlights Jesus as our High Priest, who intercedes for us, providing an unshakable hope.
The Gospel from Mark presents a scenario where Jesus challenges the traditional understanding of the Sabbath. When the Pharisees question the disciples' actions, Jesus uses the example of David to illustrate that human needs sometimes require flexibility. He asserts that the Sabbath was created for humanity's benefit, not the other way around. This teaches us to focus on the spirit of the law rather than its rigid application.
Both readings encourage us to trust in God's plan and remain faithful, even when faced with challenges. They remind us to be adaptable and compassionate, understanding that religious practices should enhance our relationship with God rather than become a burden. The moral lesson here is one of trust and adaptability, urging us to follow God's will with perseverance and an open heart.