Daily Readings - Sat Apr 25 2020
1 Peter
5Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.10But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.11To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.12By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.13The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.14Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Mark
15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.19So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.20And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Sermon
In today's readings, we hear from 1 Peter and the Gospel of Mark, both of which offer profound insights into the Christian life. The first reading from 1 Peter encourages believers to embrace humility and trust in God's providence, especially in the face of challenges. Peter reminds us that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, urging us to cast our anxieties on Him. The passage also warns us to be vigilant against the devil, who seeks to devour the faithful, and assures us that our suffering is temporary, leading to eternal glory.
In the Gospel, Mark recounts Jesus' final command to the disciples before His ascension. Jesus commissions them to preach the Gospel to all creation, promising salvation to those who believe and are baptized. He also assures them that signs will accompany their missionary efforts, such as healing the sick and casting out demons. This passage emphasizes the universal scope of the Gospel and the transformative power of faith.
Together, these readings remind us that our faith is both a personal and communal journey. Peter's letter calls us to humility and trust in God's care, while Mark's Gospel challenges us to share the Good News boldly. In our daily lives, we are invited to live with humility, trusting that God will lift us up in His time. At the same time, we are called to be witnesses of Christ's love, trusting that He will empower us to fulfill our mission. May we embrace both the humility and the boldness required to live out our faith authentically, knowing that God's grace will sustain us every step of the way.