Daily Readings - Sat Feb 06 2021
Hebrews
15By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.16But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.17Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.20Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,21Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Mark
30And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.31And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.32And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.33And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.34And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the balance between rest and service, as well as the nature of compassionate leadership. The first reading from Hebrews encourages us to offer sacrifices of praise to God through our words and actions, emphasizing the importance of community and obedience to our spiritual leaders. The author prays for God's peace and empowerment to live according to His will. This passage reminds us that our worship is not just individual but communal, and our faith is lived out in good works and fellowship.
The Gospel from Mark presents a complementary message. After the Apostles return from their missionary work, Jesus invites them to rest in a deserted place. Yet, when they arrive, they find a crowd seeking Jesus. Instead of turning them away, Jesus takes pity on them and teaches them. This passage highlights Jesus' compassionate leadership and the importance of balancing rest with service. Just as the Apostles needed rest, we too need moments of renewal, but we are also called to respond to the needs of others with compassion.
These readings remind us that our faith is both about rest and service, trust and action. In our daily lives, we are called to create spaces for rest and renewal, just as Jesus did for his disciples. At the same time, we are to look out for those around us, offering them the same compassion and guidance that Jesus showed to the crowd. Let us strive to live this balance, trusting in God's peace and grace to equip us for whatever He calls us to do. May we, like Jesus, be sources of hope and healing for those around us.