Daily Readings - Tue Jan 22 2019
Hebrews
10For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.11And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:12That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.13For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,14Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.15And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.16For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.17Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:18That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:19Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;20Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Mark
23And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.24And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?25And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?26How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?27And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:28Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the enduring nature of God’s promises and the importance of understanding the purpose behind religious practices. The first reading from Hebrews emphasizes God’s faithfulness and the hope we have in Him. The author encourages us to persevere in our faith, just as Abraham did, trusting in God’s promises even when the journey is long and uncertain. The reading also highlights the role of patience and faith as essential virtues for inheriting the promises of God. The Gospel from Mark presents a moment of tension between Jesus and the Pharisees over the observance of the Sabbath. Jesus defends His disciples’ actions by pointing to the true purpose of the Sabbath: it was made for the benefit of humanity, not to impose unnecessary restrictions. He even cites the example of David, who broke a sacred rule to meet a human need, to show that compassion and human well-being should take precedence over rigid legalism.
The readings are connected by the theme of trusting in God’s plan and understanding the spirit behind His laws. In Hebrews, we see that God’s promises are unshakable, and we are called to live with hope and perseverance. In Mark, Jesus teaches us that religious practices should serve humanity, not the other way around. Together, these readings invite us to reflect on how we live out our faith: do we trust in God’s faithfulness, even when the path is unclear? Do we approach religious practices with a spirit of compassion and humanity, or do we get caught up in legalism?
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us remember to trust in God’s promises and to live with patience and hope. Let us also examine our own practices and attitudes, ensuring that they reflect the compassion and love that Jesus modeled. May we, like the disciples, be willing to step out in faith, trusting that God’s plan is greater than our own understanding. And may we, like Jesus, prioritize the well-being of others, remembering that the rules and traditions we follow were made to serve us, not to bind us.