Daily Readings - Mon Feb 12 2018

First Reading - James 1.1-11

¹James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.²My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;³Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.⁴But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.⁵If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.⁶But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.⁷For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.⁸A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.⁹Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:¹⁰But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.¹¹For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

Gospel - Mark 8.11-13

Mark

Chapter 8

¹¹And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.¹²And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.¹³And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side.

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, doubt, and the challenges of living a life rooted in trust in God. In the first reading from James, we are reminded that trials and difficulties are an inevitable part of life, but they are not without purpose. James encourages us to embrace these challenges with joy because they test our faith and lead to patience, which, when perfected, makes us whole and complete. He also emphasizes the importance of prayer, urging us to ask God for wisdom without doubting, for doubt leads to instability and unfruitfulness. James contrasts the humble and the rich, warning that wealth and status are fleeting, while true glory comes from humility and trust in God. In the Gospel, Mark presents a scene where the Pharisees demand a sign from heaven to test Jesus. Jesus, deeply troubled by their lack of faith, responds by saying that no sign will be given to this generation. This exchange highlights the Pharisees' stubborn refusal to accept Jesus despite the many miracles he had already performed. Their demand for a sign reveals a deeper spiritual blindness and a failure to trust in God's presence and work in their midst. These readings are connected by the theme of faith and doubt. James calls us to trust in God's providence, even in the midst of trials, while Mark's Gospel warns against the kind of hardness of heart that refuses to see God's work even when it is plainly evident. In our daily lives, we often face moments of doubt and uncertainty, just like the Pharisees. We may question God's presence or doubt his plan for us. But today's readings remind us that true faith is not about demanding signs or proofs; it is about trusting in God's wisdom and providence, even when the road ahead is unclear. As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Do we approach life's challenges with patience and trust, or do we allow doubt and fear to take root? Are we humble and open to God's will, or do we insist on our own way? Let us strive to live with the kind of faith James describes—a faith that is unwavering, prayerful, and rooted in the conviction that God is always at work in our lives, even in the midst of trials. May we also avoid the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees by opening our hearts to the signs of God's love and presence that surround us every day.