Daily Readings - Mon Jan 21 2019
Hebrews
1For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:2Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.3And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.4And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.5So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.6As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.7Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;8Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;10Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
Mark
18And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?19And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.20But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.21No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.22And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of Christ’s priesthood and the newness He brings to our lives. In the first reading from Hebrews, we are reminded that Christ, though divine, took on human flesh and suffered, making Him a compassionate High Priest who understands our weaknesses. This emphasizes His unique role as an intermediary between God and humanity, bringing a new dimension to priesthood through His empathy and sacrifice.
In the Gospel, Mark presents Jesus addressing questions about fasting. He uses the metaphor of the groom at a wedding to illustrate that His presence brings joy, making fasting inappropriate. He further uses the parables of new cloth and new wine to highlight that His teachings cannot be confined to old traditions; they require a new approach. This underscores the transformative nature of His message, urging us to embrace renewal.
These readings connect by showing Jesus as the bringer of newness—both in His priesthood and His teachings. In our daily lives, this calls us to avoid rigidity and instead be open to change and growth. The moral lesson is one of trusting in God’s plan for renewal, allowing His transformative power to shape our lives anew. Let us embrace this newness with faith, trusting that it leads us closer to God.