Daily Readings - Tue Feb 18 2020
James
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.
Mark
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 are invited to reflect on the nature of temptation, the importance of spiritual discernment, and the call to trust in God’s providence. The first reading from James reminds us that temptation does not come from God but from our own desires. James encourages us to remain faithful during trials, for it is through perseverance that we grow in holiness. He also reminds us that every good gift comes from God, who is the Father of lights, unchanging and eternal. The Gospel from Mark presents Jesus cautioning his disciples against the “leaven of the Pharisees and Herod,” a metaphor for the corrupting influence of hypocrisy and worldly power. Jesus then rebukes the disciples for their lack of faith and understanding, reminding them of the miracles of the loaves, which should have strengthened their trust in his divine providence.
The context of these readings is rooted in the early Christian experience. James writes to a community facing various trials, urging them to remain steadfast and to recognize the source of sin and temptation within themselves. Mark’s Gospel, on the other hand, captures a moment when the disciples are still learning to trust Jesus beyond their immediate physical needs. Their forgetfulness of the miraculous provision of bread reveals a deeper spiritual blindness, which Jesus addresses by calling them to greater faith and understanding.
Both readings relate to each other in their emphasis on spiritual awareness and trust in God. James warns us against the internal temptations that can lead us astray, while Mark’s Gospel highlights the importance of discerning the subtle influences of the world and placing our trust in God’s plan. Together, they call us to live with integrity, avoiding the hypocrisy and corruption that can seep into our lives, and to trust in God’s goodness and providence, even when we face uncertainty or scarcity.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to examine our own desires and the influences that shape our choices. Let us ask ourselves: What are the “leaven” influences in my life that pull me away from God? Do I trust in God’s plan, even when I feel lacking or uncertain? James reminds us that every good gift comes from God, so let us cultivate gratitude for the blessings we receive and remain vigilant against the temptations that arise from our own desires. May we, like the disciples, learn to see beyond the physical and trust in the divine plan, remembering that God always provides, even when we do not see it immediately.