Daily Catholic Mass Readings for February 13, 2018
First Reading: James 1.12-18
12Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.13Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:14But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.15Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.16Do not err, my beloved brethren.17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.18Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Psalm 94
1O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.2Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud.3LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?4How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?5They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage.6They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.7Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.8Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?9He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?10He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?11The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.12Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;13That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.14For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.15But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.16Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?17Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.18When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.19In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.20Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?21They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.22But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.23And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the LORD our God shall cut them off.
Gospel: Mark 8.14-21
14Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf.15And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.16And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread.17And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?18Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?19When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.20And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.21And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore themes of temptation, spiritual understanding, and God's providence. The first reading from James reminds us that our struggles with sin arise from our own desires, not from God, who instead showers us with good gifts. The Gospel from Mark illustrates Jesus teaching his disciples to look beyond physical needs, using the metaphor of leaven to warn against hypocrisy and emphasizing spiritual understanding through reminders of his miracles.
Both readings, though from different contexts—James addressing early Christians facing trials and Mark depicting Jesus teaching his disciples—unite in their call for spiritual awareness. James highlights the internal battle with sin, while Mark's narrative shows the disciples' initial misunderstanding, urging us to seek deeper spiritual insights rather than being swayed by material concerns.
In our daily lives, this teaches us to recognize that our true battles are within and that God's gifts are always good. We are called to trust in His providence and seek spiritual growth, avoiding the leaven of hypocrisy and focusing on the eternal over the temporal. May we embrace this wisdom, striving to perceive the spiritual truths that guide us closer to God.