Daily Catholic Mass Readings for February 6, 2025

First Reading: Hebrews 12.18-19, 21-24

¹⁸For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest¹⁹and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them.²¹Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I tremble with fear."²²But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,²³and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,²⁴and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Psalm 48

Psalms

Chapter 48

¹Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain,²beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King.³Within her citadels God has made himself known as a fortress.⁴For behold, the kings assembled; they came on together.⁵As soon as they saw it, they were astounded; they were in panic; they took to flight.⁶Trembling took hold of them there, anguish as of a woman in labor.⁷By the east wind you shattered the ships of Tarshish.⁸As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God, which God will establish forever. Selah⁹We have thought on your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple.¹⁰As your name, O God, so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is filled with righteousness.¹¹Let Mount Zion be glad! Let the daughters of Judah rejoice because of your judgments!¹²Walk about Zion, go around her, number her towers,¹³consider well her ramparts, go through her citadels, that you may tell the next generation¹⁴that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever.

Gospel: Mark 6.7-13

Mark

Chapter 6

⁷And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.⁸He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff--no bread, no bag, no money in their belts--⁹but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics.¹⁰And he said to them, "Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there.¹¹And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them."¹²So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent.¹³And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.

Sermon

In today's readings, we journey through two profound biblical passages that invite us to reflect on faith, trust, and our spiritual journey. The first reading from Hebrews contrasts the awe-inspiring, even terrifying, experience of Moses and the Israelites at Mount Sinai with the serene and grace-filled reality of the heavenly Jerusalem. This passage highlights the transition from the fear of the Old Covenant to the hope and joy of the New Covenant, reminding us that our true home is in heaven, where we are part of a vast community of believers, united in Christ. The Gospel reading from Mark shows Jesus sending out the twelve apostles with authority to preach, heal, and cast out demons. Jesus instructs them to travel lightly, trusting in God's providence rather than relying on material comforts. This passage underscores the importance of simplicity, detachment, and trust in God's plan. The apostles' mission is not just about what they do, but about how they embody their faith, trusting that God will provide what they need. These readings invite us to reflect on our own faith journey. Like the apostles, we are called to trust in God's providence, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. We are reminded that our ultimate home is not in this world but in the heavenly Jerusalem, where we will be united with all the saints. Let us embrace our mission with courage and simplicity, trusting that God will guide us and provide for us. May we, like the apostles, go forth with faith, spreading the Good News and living as witnesses to God's love in our daily lives.